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The Postgraduate Certificate in Security Studies (PGCertSS), piloted at the Solomon Islands National University (SINU), has reached a major milestone this week, with the first cohort of students successfully completing the programme.
A total of 18 pioneer students who enrolled when the programme commenced in August this year received their certificates during an award ceremony held at the Heritage Park Hotel in Honiara on Monday night.
Speaking at the event, SINU Vice Chancellor (VC) Professor Transform Aqorau highlighted the significance of the programme, noting that less than a year ago, SINU launched the Postgraduate Certificate in Security Studies (PGCertSS) with an embedded certificate programme. This initiative, he said, was driven by a simple but powerful idea: nation-building through strengthening local security capacity by educating and empowering Solomon Islanders.
βWe recognized a critical gap in our national development β for years, Solomon Islands had no dedicated pathway to systematically train our security sector personnel,β Professor Aqorau said.
βOur police officers, border officials, and analysts often had to seek training overseas, in programmes not tailored to our unique context. That changed with the establishment of this programme.
βThe PGCertSS β representing the first semester of the diploma β is the first home-grown postgraduate security qualification in our countryβs history. It is a landmark initiative that speaks to our national aspirations and addresses our pressing challenges in a way no external training ever could.β
Professor Aqorau noted that the programme links security and education in service of national progress, emphasising that security underpins all aspects of development.
He explained that the PGCertSS carries both national and regional significance. Nationally, it aligns with the Solomon Islandsβ development priorities and the National Development Strategy 2016β2035, particularly in strengthening human capital and improving governance.
Regionally, it responds to the 2018 Boe Declaration on Regional Security, where Pacific leaders adopted an expanded concept of securityβone that recognises climate change, resource protection, transnational crime, and cyber threats as fundamental security issues.
βThe Boe Declaration affirmed for the first time that climate change is the greatest security threat to the Pacific. We in the Solomon Islands know this truth well: rising sea levels and extreme weather threaten our villages and future,β he said.
βThrough this programme, we are building local expertise to tackle such threats head-on. By graduating our first cohort of security scholars, Solomon Islands is demonstrating leadership and ownership of our security challenges.
βIn the past, we relied on external advisors and training; today, we celebrate the fact that the expertise we need is growing right here at home. This is a proud moment for our nation. We are showing our Pacific neighbours that a small island state can be big in vision β that we can produce awardees capable of navigating the complex currents of modern security.β
The VC acknowledged the many individuals and institutions that contributed to the programmeβs success.
βI extend my sincere thanks to the Government of Solomon Islands for its vision and steadfast support. In particular, I pay tribute to the Ministry of Police, National Security and Correctional Services β especially Permanent Secretary Karen Qalokale, whose unwavering leadership from the programmeβs inception has been instrumental.β
He also expressed appreciation to the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) for its invaluable partnership under the SINUβAustralia Memorandum of Understanding, noting that DFATβs funding and technical support βlaid the foundation for this programmeβs success.β
Professor Aqorau further acknowledged the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF), border services, and other law enforcement agencies for their contributions and support.
βWithin SINU, this achievement is the result of dedicated teamwork,β he added, recognising Dr. Patricia Rodie, Dean of the Faculty of Education and Humanities; Rev. Dr. Ben Wate, Head of the School of Humanities; and Dr. Danielle Watson for their leadership and expertise in Pacific security studies.
He thanked faculty, curriculum developers, support staff, and the families and employers of the graduands for their encouragement and support throughout the studentsβ studies.
Representing the Australian High Commission office in Honiara, Mr. Cameron Darragh congratulated SINU on this remarkable achievement, stating that DFAT is pleased to be a supporting partner in this milestone and will continue to support SINU going forward.
The Postgraduate Diploma in Security Studies will be offered on a full-time basis beginning Semester One of the 2026 academic year.
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