PRESS RELEASE
3 OCTOBER 2026
The Solomon Islands National University (SINU) has taken a significant step towards strengthening its institutional quality assurance and regulatory standing with the formal submission of its Provider Registration Application documents to the Solomon Islands Tertiary Education and Skills Authority (SITESA).
The submission was formally made on Friday 2 October 2026 at the SITESA office, following a comprehensive process led by the University’s Standards and Quality Office (SQO), with support from heads of faculties and support offices.
The submission marks an important milestone in SINU’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its governance, quality assurance, financial and administrative systems and the quality of education it provides. The University’s leadership has identified provider registration and licensing as an important institutional priority, reflecting SINU’s commitment to demonstrating the quality and effectiveness of its operations through an external assessment process.
Speaking on the milestone, Vice-Chancellor Professor Transform Aqorau acknowledged the collective efforts of staff who contributed to preparing the application and assembling the required evidence.
The Vice-Chancellor emphasised that while the submission represents a significant achievement, the assessment and decision by SITESA are still to come. SINU remains prepared to respond to any questions, provide additional evidence and address matters that may be identified during the assessment process.
Professor Aqorau further highlighted that the provider registration process extends beyond the submission itself. The policies, records and procedures prepared for the application are expected to contribute to a continuing culture of quality assurance across the University and to support evidence-based decision-making and institutional improvement.
The process also reinforces the importance of ensuring that SINU’s strategic ambitions are supported by the capacity to deliver quality educational outcomes. This includes ensuring that decisions relating to programmes, enrolment growth and new delivery locations are supported by appropriate staffing, facilities, learning resources, student support and financial sustainability.
For students, the ongoing quality assurance work is intended to support clearer programme information, fair and consistent assessment, timely feedback, accessible student support, reliable academic records and opportunities for students to contribute to institutional improvement.
The submission also provides a foundation for further work towards programme accreditation and professional recognition, where applicable, with the University recognising that institutional provider registration does not automatically result in accreditation or professional recognition for individual programmes.
SINU also recognises the important role of staff development in strengthening educational quality. The University intends to continue supporting professional development across academic, professional and administrative areas, including teaching, curriculum development, assessment, research, ICT, finance, student services and other areas that contribute to the student experience.
The Vice-Chancellor acknowledged the Standards and Quality Office for its coordinating role in supporting the collection and interpretation of evidence and monitoring institutional improvement, while emphasising that responsibility for quality assurance remains shared across academic leadership, faculties, departments and service divisions.
Looking ahead, SINU will continue working to strengthen its programmes, support staff and build confidence among students, families, employers, government and partners in the quality of education provided by the University.
The submission follows SINU’s 2026 Graduation celebrations and represents another important step in the University’s continuing institutional development and commitment to quality improvement.
ENDS//