Press Release
11 August 2026
The Solomon Islands National University (SINU) is strengthening its commitment to making quality higher education more accessible across the country through a four-day workshop for Provincial Sub-Coordinators under its Centre for Distance and Flexible Learning (CDFL).
The workshop, which brings together Provincial Sub-Coordinators from across the country, was officially opened by SINU Vice-Chancellor Professor Transform Aqorau on Monday at the Friendship Hall in Honiara.
Professor Aqorau welcomed the Provincial Sub-Coordinators to Honiara and acknowledged their commitment to supporting SINUโs efforts to extend education and learning opportunities to students in rural and remote communities.
He also thanked CDFL Manager Mr. Obed Zutu and his team for their leadership in organising the workshop and recognised the important role played by CDFL and its Provincial Sub-Coordinators in bringing education closer to people living in the provinces.
โDistance and Flexible Learning is one of the most practical ways in which SINU can become genuinely nationalโnot only in name, but also in its presence and impact. We cannot call ourselves a National University if people must come to Honiara before the University becomes real to them. Our responsibility is to take learning closer to where our people live and work, while maintaining the same academic standards and quality expected of every SINU qualification. If we do this well, distance will remain part of our geography, but it will not have the final say over a personโs education.โ
CDFL Manager Mr. Zutu said the workshop is designed to strengthen service delivery by equipping Provincial Sub-Coordinators with essential knowledge, skills, and practical understanding of CDFL policies, systems, student support, reporting requirements, and digital learning platforms.
He said collaboration between the Provincial Sub-Coordinators and DFL support teams is important in improving coordination, addressing challenges, and developing effective strategies to better support students and strengthen the operations of provincial sub-centres.
Mr. Zutu said the workshop has several key objectives, including orienting Provincial Sub-Coordinators on DFL systems and operational procedures, clarifying their roles and responsibilities in supporting students and programme delivery, and strengthening their knowledge of administrative, financial, academic, and student support processes.
The workshop also aims to enhance participantsโ communication, reporting, monitoring, and coordination skills, develop their capacity to use the Learning Management System (LMS) and other digital learning tools, and promote stronger teamwork between Provincial Sub-Coordinators and DFL support teams.
The workshop provides an opportunity for Provincial Sub-Coordinators to strengthen their capacity and share experiences and practical challenges associated with delivering flexible learning services in their respective provinces.
The four-day workshop, which commenced on Monday, will conclude on Thursday, 13 August 2026.
ENDS//