Press Release
5 August 2026
A delegation from the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) participated in the 2026 Training Seminar on Disaster Prevention and Reduction Capacity Building for Pacific Island Countries, held at Wuyi University in Jiangmen City, Guangdong Province, Peopleโs Republic of China, from 19 to 28 July 2026.
The delegation comprised Dr. William Parairato, Pro Vice-Chancellor Corporate; Dr. Clyde Gorapava Puilingi, Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology; and Mr. David Maekiki, Acting Director of Properties, Facilities and Projects.
The training was organised through Wuyi University to strengthen regional cooperation and technical capacity in disaster preparedness, emergency management and disaster risk reduction. The programme combined technical lectures, institutional visits, demonstrations, research presentations and cultural exchanges, providing participants with practical insights into China’s disaster management systems and innovations.
During the seminar, the SINU delegation visited several key facilities, including the National Power Emergency Base, Laisu Village Comprehensive Disaster Reduction Demonstration Community, Jiangmen High-Tech Industrial Development Zone, Overseas Chinese History and Culture Research Centre, and the Guangdong Emergency Warning Information Release Centre.
The visits highlighted the importance of modern emergency infrastructure, strong inter-agency coordination, community preparedness, early warning systems, scientific research and technological innovation. The delegation also observed the use of artificial intelligence, remote sensing, real-time monitoring, weather modelling and automated warning systems in disaster risk management.
Technical sessions covered areas including earthquake disaster risk reduction, marine disaster early warning, meteorological disaster prevention, artificial intelligence and remote sensing, as well as typhoon preparedness. The programme reinforced the importance of proactive preparedness, accurate forecasting, effective communication and coordinated emergency response.
The experience was particularly relevant to Solomon Islands, given the country’s exposure to earthquakes, tsunamis, tropical cyclones, floods, landslides, volcanic activity, drought and climate-related hazards. The delegation identified opportunities for strengthening disaster preparedness through improved technology, research, community engagement and institutional cooperation.
For SINU, the training presents opportunities to expand its contribution to national disaster resilience through disaster risk reduction research, short courses and micro-credentials, multidisciplinary academic programmes, and the integration of Artificial Intelligence, GIS, remote sensing and data science into disaster education. Further collaboration with Wuyi University in research, academic exchange and capacity building was also identified as a key opportunity.
The seminar also highlighted the potential for SINU to support government and communities through applied research, technical advice and interdisciplinary programmes, with the long-term opportunity to position the University as a regional centre of excellence for disaster resilience in the Pacific.
The delegation’s participation reinforces SINU’s commitment to contributing to national resilience through education, research, innovation and strategic partnerships. The experience gained in China provides valuable lessons that can support Solomon Islands’ efforts to strengthen preparedness and build resilience to future natural hazards.
ENDS//