Press Release
21 May 2026
The Solomon Islands National University (SINU) held its Vice-Chancellorโs Student Forum today at the Kukum Lecture Theatre, bringing together students, University Management, and representatives of the SINU Students Association (SINUSA) for open and constructive engagement on matters affecting student life and the wider university community.
Held under the theme โBuilding a Stronger University Community through Dialogue and Partnership,โย the forum provided a structured platform for students to engage directly with the Vice-Chancellor and senior University leadership on key issues relating to academic quality, student experience, campus services, communication, governance, infrastructure, and institutional development.
The initiative reflects SINUโs continued commitment to strengthening student engagement, enhancing transparency, and buildingย a more inclusive and student-centred university environment.
In his keynote address, Vice-Chancellor Professor Transform Aqorau emphasised the importance of dialogue, mutual respect, and shared responsibility in shaping the future of the University.
โThis is an important moment for our University because dialogue is one of the ways we build trust. Students must have a voice in the life of the University, and the University cannot grow stronger if we do not listen carefully to one another,โ Professor Aqorau said.
He further highlightedย that students remain central to the Universityโs mission.
โStudents are not an interruption to the work of the University. Students are the reason for the University,โ he said, adding that SINUโs systems, policies, facilities, and development priorities must ultimately support student learning, welfare, and aspirations.
Professor Aqorau also acknowledged the concerns raised by students regarding teaching quality, delayed results, campus facilities, internet access, student welfare, academic administration, and communication, noting that such feedback must be addressed constructively.
โThe purpose of todayโs dialogue is not to blame one another. It is not to create division between students and staff, or between SINUSA and Management. The purpose is to listen, to clarify, to explain, to acknowledge, and to identify pathways forward,โ he said.
During the forum, students from various faculties and campuses engaged directly with University Management through a moderated discussion. Key issues raised included academic quality, student support services, governance and communication, infrastructure development, ICT and internet services, accommodation and sanitation, and campus security.
University Management also provided updates on ongoing reforms and development initiatives, including:
- Accreditation and quality assurance processes
- Upgrades to ICT systems and internet connectivity
- Development of a new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system
- Establishment of the Department of Campus Life and Student Welfare Services
- Improvements to teaching and learning systems
- Future infrastructure and campus development planning
- Strengthening student representation within university governance structures
The Vice-Chancellor noted that the forum forms part of a broader and ongoing effort to strengthen communication and partnership across the University community.
โThis dialogue is not an end in itself. It is a beginning. It is part of a wider effort to strengthen communication, improve mutual understanding, and build a stronger sense of partnership between students and University leadership,โ Professor Aqorau said.
Representatives of SINUSA welcomed the opportunity for students to engage directly with University leadership in a structured and respectful setting, and acknowledged the importance of sustaining ongoing dialogue between students and Management.
The Vice-Chancellorโs Student Forum forms part of SINUโs broader efforts to strengthen communication, collaboration, accountability, and partnership across the university community. The University anticipates continuing the forum as a regular engagement platform to support ongoing dialogue and continuous institutional improvement.
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Click to read: Address to SINU Students – Management Diologue 21 May 2026 (1) (1)