PRESS RELEASE
10 July 2026
Seven students from Solomon Islands National University (SINU) have completed the University of Melbourne Winter School Program, returning from a two-week international learning experience that brought together students, ideas and perspectives from across Asia and the Pacific.
The program provided the SINU students with an opportunity to learn alongside students from nine partner universities across the region, including institutions from India, Indonesia, the Republic of Korea, Thailand, Fiji and Solomon Islands. Together, the students shared their experiences, explored different ways of thinking and built connections that extended beyond their time in the classroom.
Focused on sustainability challenges linked to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the program combined academic learning with practical experiences through masterclasses, workshops, lectures, field visits and collaborative projects. The students also had the opportunity to experience Melbourne’s diverse and welcoming environment, a city recognised for its strong student community and multicultural character.
Rather than remaining in university groups, participants were brought together across institutions and countries through thematic streams based on their academic interests. This allowed students to work with peers from different backgrounds, learn from one another and develop solutions by bringing together different perspectives and experiences.
For SINU student Sandra Carter from the Faculty of Nursing, Medicine and Health Sciences, the program offered an opportunity to explore healthcare challenges from a regional perspective. Sandra participated in the Sustainable Livelihoods: Health and Wellbeing thematic stream, where her group looked at improving healthcare access across Asia and the Pacific by recognising the role of traditional medicine alongside modern healthcare approaches.
«”Our group presented ideas on how communities across Asia and the Pacific can improve access to healthcare by recognising traditional medicine as a supportive approach alongside conventional healthcare,” she said.»
The program concluded with students presenting their group projects, celebrating their achievements and receiving certificates of completion. The final activities also provided time for participants to reflect on their experiences, exchange cultural gifts and strengthen the friendships and networks developed throughout the program.
The seven SINU students will return to Solomon Islands on Sunday, 12 July 2026, bringing home new knowledge, regional connections and memories from an experience that allowed them to learn not only from academic sessions, but also from the people and cultures around them.
The participation of SINU students in the University of Melbourne Winter School Program highlights the value of international partnerships in creating opportunities for students to engage with the wider region. SINU will continue to strengthen existing partnerships and explore new collaborations that enable more students to participate in international learning experiences, develop confidence, and gain the knowledge and networks needed to contribute to Solomon Islands and the wider Pacific.
ENDS//