𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐔 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐆𝐮𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐝𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐎𝐜𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞

𝟏𝟕 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓

A high-level delegation from the Solomon Islands National University (SINU), led by Pro-Chancellor & Council Chair Dr. Morgan Wairiu and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Transform Aqorau, held a successful meeting with the College of Ocean and Meteorology at Guangdong Ocean University (GDOU) on Tuesday 13 November.

The SINU delegation—joined by Ms. Michelle Lam from the Prime Minister’s Office and Mr. Yang of JQY Enterprise—received a warm welcome from the Dean, Professor Zheng, and senior academic staff. GDOU provided an impressive overview of their extensive marine and atmospheric science programs, including their fleet of research vessels, advanced laboratories, and strong research platforms focused on the South China Sea.

Key Issues Discussed

The meeting explored a number of areas where SINU and GDOU share common interests and complementary strengths, including:

• Capacity Building & Training: Opportunities for SINU students and staff to undergo short courses, attachments, and exchange programmes in oceanography, marine meteorology, and remote sensing at GDOU.
• Joint Research: Potential collaboration on marine pollution, coral reef health, blue economy initiatives, and ocean–climate modelling relevant to the Pacific Islands.
• Curriculum Development: Co-designing new programmes in marine science and climate resilience, with possibilities for joint teaching, shared supervision, and dual-degree pathways.
• Technology and Data Sharing: Access to satellite oceanography, ocean monitoring data, and use of advanced research equipment and facilities to strengthen SINU’s scientific capabilities.
• Community & Government Engagement: Prospects for co-organising community outreach, government training programmes, and cultural exchange activities to deepen cooperation and people-to-people ties.

Both sides expressed strong enthusiasm for developing a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to guide long-term cooperation.

Next Steps

A GDOU delegation will visit SINU in 2026 to continue discussions, familiarise themselves with SINU’s facilities, and begin shaping concrete programmes and research activities.

This partnership marks an exciting opportunity for SINU to strengthen its capacity in marine and climate sciences, expand international collaboration, and contribute to the sustainable management of Solomon Islands’ vast ocean resources.

SINU looks forward to building this important academic bridge between Honiara and Zhanjiang.

 

ENDS//