Overview
The Pro Vice-Chancellor Academic (PVCA) provides strategic leadership and oversight of the academic affairs of the Solomon Islands National University (SINU), reporting directly to the Vice-Chancellor. The PVCA is a core member of the University’s Senior Executive Team, the University Senate, and the University Council.
The Office of the PVCA is central to advancing the quality and effectiveness of academic programs and services at SINU. It ensures academic operations remain responsive, student-focused, and aligned with the University’s strategic direction. The office also contributes to the development and upkeep of infrastructure that supports teaching, learning, and research.
Key Responsibilities
The Office of the PVCA oversees and supports:
- Academic leadership across five faculties and two institutes;
- Advancement of research, scholarly activities, and postgraduate education;
- Academic resource management via the University Library System (SINU.lib.net);
- Academic support services through the Student Academic Services (SAS) Office;
- Administration of programs and student records through the Student Management System (SMS);
- Maintenance and assurance of academic quality through the Standards and Quality Office (SQO).
Through these responsibilities, the PVCA ensures that SINU delivers high-quality, relevant, and inclusive education, fostering success for both students and academic staff.
Departments
- Faculties
- College & Centres
- Department of Research & Postgraduate Affairs
- Department of Library & Information Systems
- Standards and Quality Office (SQO)
- Student Academic Services (SAS)
- Centre of Excellence in Information Technology
Pro Vice-Chancellor Academic
Associate Professor Eric Katovai, PhD Pro Vice-Chancellor, Academic
Associate Professor Eric Katovai is a dedicated academic leader and accomplished environmental biologist with nearly two decades of experience in higher education. He currently serves as the Pro Vice-Chancellor – Academic at the Solomon Islands National University (SINU), where he drives strategic academic development, nurtures innovative research, and builds strong institutional partnerships.
With a specialisation in ecosystem functioning, plant ecology, and biodiversity conservation and restoration, Associate Professor Katovai has spent his career addressing the unique environmental dynamics of Melanesia’s forests. His research expertise includes tropical forest ecology, focusing on biodiversity, vegetation dynamics, and ecosystem recovery in human-altered landscapes. His work in tropical forest restoration and ecosystem rehabilitation is deeply tied to sustainable policy development and community capacity-building in the Solomon Islands.
Before joining SINU, he held key academic and leadership positions, including Assistant Dean and Director of Research and Postgraduate Studies at Pacific Adventist University (PAU). He also served as Senior Lecturer and the Biodiversity Conservation Research Group Leader at the University of the South Pacific (USP) from 2019 to 2022, leading impactful research initiatives on conservation and sustainable development.
A strong advocate for young scientists, Associate Professor Katovai fosters research initiatives addressing local, regional, and global challenges. He remains committed to mentoring and inspiring the next generation of scholars.
His academic credentials include a Ph.D. in Tropical Ecology from James Cook University, Australia, an MSc in Conservation Biology from the University of Queensland, Australia, and Bachelor’s degrees in Biology and Physics. Additionally, he holds a Bachelor of Education in Biology and Physics from Pacific Adventist University, Papua New Guinea.
In his multifaceted roles and academic accomplishments, Associate Professor Katovai is a driving force in academia and environmental conservation, demonstrating unwavering dedication to research, education, and the ecological well-being of the Pacific Islands.
PVCA OFFICE STAFF
Bachelor of Laws (LLB)
Bachelor of Arts in Politics and International Affairs
Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice (PDLP)
Postgraduate Diploma in Legislative Drafting (PDLD)
University of the South Pacific (USP)