SINU VC Professor Transform Aqorau, SINU Research team, and Professor Padma posed for a group photo with the newly donated Reading Machine at the SINU Research Office.
The Solomon Islands National University (SINU) Research Office today received a reading machine, once used by the late Professor Brij Vilash Lal AM.
Professor Brij, who passed away on 25 December 2021, had struggled with his eyesight during the later stages of his life but never allowed it to stop him from doing what he loved most, reading and writing.
The machine was donated by his wife, Professor Padma Lal, in honour of Professor Brijโs 73rd birthday on 21 August 2025, three and a half years after his passing.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, SINU Vice-Chancellor Professor Transform Aqorau, expressed gratitude to Professor Padma and her family for the kind-hearted donation. He said the equipment would be of great benefit to SINU staff and students, particularly those who are visually challenged.
โThis reading machine is a very important and valued piece of equipment. At this stage, it will be placed in the SINU Research Office for use by Dr Hugo Bugoro,โ Professor Transform said.
Professor Padma said her family was pleased to support the work of SINU and urged the University to take good care of the machine so it can continue to serve its purpose for decades to come. She also thanked Emeritus Professor Clive Moore and Mr Frank Wickham, Chairman of Solomon Airlines, for assisting in transporting the machine to Honiara.
Meanwhile, Head of the Research Office Dr Hugo Bugoro described the donation as a timely and special gift. Dr Bugoro, who also experiences eyesight challenges, said the reading machine would greatly enhance his work performance and productivity moving forward.
ENDS//