Press Release
Monday, 12 January 2026
Solomon Islands National University (SINU) and the Ministry of Police, National Security, and Correctional Services (MPNSCS) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen SINUโs security programme.
The recently signed MoU aims to promote collaboration between SINU and MPNSCS to:
- Strengthen the design and delivery of tertiary programmes relevant to law enforcement and security stakeholders;
- Support training, capacity building, and capability enhancement across the security sector; and
- Ensure that all security-related programmes developed by SINU are contextually appropriate, professionally relevant, and aligned with national security priorities.
Speaking during the MoU signing this morning, Acting Vice-Chancellor and Pro Vice-Chancellor Academic (PVCA), Associate Professor Eric Katovai, said the MoU reflects a shared commitment to strengthening Solomon Islandsโ national security architecture through education, training, research, and professional development.
Dr Katovai said, โFor a small island nation such as ours, security, justice, and the rule of law are foundational to stability, sustainable development, and social cohesion.โ He said addressing these complex and evolving challenges requires strong and sustained collaboration between government institutions, academia, and development partners.
โFor Solomon Islands National University, this partnership creates significant opportunities to expand our academic and research capacity in security-related fields.
โIt provides a platform for the development of postgraduate programmes, professional short courses, and applied research that are both contextually grounded and closely aligned with national security priorities.
โImportantly, it also enables the University to draw on the operational expertise of practitioners from policing, corrections, and national security, ensuring that our programmes remain practical, relevant, and responsive to national needs.
โI wish to acknowledge the Faculty of Education and Humanities, which will be responsible for operationalising this MoU on behalf of SINU.
โThe Faculty brings considerable experience in professional education, applied research, and programme delivery, and will play a central role in translating this agreement into high-quality training, research, and policy-relevant outputs for the security sector.
โThis collaboration also positions SINU to play a stronger national role in evidence-based policy support, leadership development, and institutional strengthening across the security sector.
โThe shared aspiration to explore the establishment of the Solomon Islands Institute for Law Enforcement and Security Studies is particularly significant, reflecting a long-term vision to build a national centre of excellence in law enforcement and security studies.
โOn behalf of Solomon Islands National University, I wish to thank the Ministry for its partnership and trust.
โI also acknowledge the support of our development partners, including the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, as well as colleagues in the Faculty of Education and Humanities and across the University for their commitment to this important initiative.
โWe now look forward to translating this MoU into tangible outcomes that will strengthen professional capability, enhance institutional effectiveness, and contribute to a safer, more secure, and more resilient Solomon Islands.โ
Speaking during the MoU signing, the MPNSCS Permanent Secretary, Ms Karen Galokale, said her ministry is fully committed and happy to be part of the milestone MoU between SINU and MPNSCS.
Minister-Counsellor (Political), Ms Stephanie Aeuckens, from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, who was present at the event, congratulated SINU and MPNSCS on the successful signing of the MoU and stated that Australia will continue to support the programme.
Under the MoU, SINUโs responsibilities are as follows:
- Lead the development, accreditation, and delivery of security- and law enforcement-related programmes;
- Ensure that all programmes are pedagogically sound, academically rigorous, and regionally recognised;
- Provide teaching staff, facilities, and administrative support for training and courses;
- Integrate practitioner input into programme content to ensure practical relevance; and
- Seek external partnerships and funding support to ensure programme sustainability.
Under the MoU, MPNSCS responsibilities are as follows:
- Support SINU in ensuring the contextual and operational relevance of all law enforcement and security programmes;
- Facilitate the secondment of officers from the RSIPF, CSSI, and other divisions to assist in programme design and delivery;
- Encourage staff participation in SINU programmes for professional development;
- Provide access to relevant policy documents, data, and facilities for educational and research purposes; and
- Assist in aligning academic training outcomes with the Solomon Islands National Security Strategy and other national frameworks.
The MoU is effective as of today and will be valid for the next three years.
The MoU signing was witnessed by officers from SINU, MPNSCS, and representatives from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs.
ENDS//