𝐃𝐫. 𝐄𝐫𝐢𝐜 𝐊𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐢, 𝐏𝐫𝐨 𝐕𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐫 – 𝐀𝐜𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐔, 𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐆𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐭 𝐉𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐞 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞
𝟓 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒

Dr. Eric Katovai, Pro Vice Chancellor – Academic at Solomon Islands National University (SINU), attended the Form 6 graduation ceremony at Jones Adventist College (JAC) on November 3 as the distinguished Guest of Honour. The ceremony, celebrated under the theme “Through Challenges, With God, We Conquer,” highlighted the students’ dedication and resilience throughout their academic journey. Dr. Katovai extended warm congratulations to the graduating class, reminding them that with faith and perseverance, no challenge is too great to overcome.

In the evening following the ceremony, Dr. Katovai engaged with students and staff, sharing insights on the evolving landscape of education in the Solomon Islands and SINU’s strategic vision to become a premier institution in the Pacific region and beyond. As Pro Vice Chancellor – Academic, he outlined SINU’s roadmap for achieving this ambitious goal, spotlighting opportunities for regional influence and global recognition. He encouraged students and staff to embrace this transformative period at SINU, reinforcing the university’s commitment to accessible and inclusive higher education.
Dr. Katovai also introduced the SINU University Preparatory College as an alternative pathway for students who may not transition directly into Forms 4, 6, or 7. This program enables students to meet entry requirements for various university programs. During his visit, he distributed application forms and brochures detailing the university’s five faculties, inspiring students to explore SINU’s diverse academic offerings.

Additionally, Dr. Katovai’s visit presented an opportunity to discuss the potential establishment of a Distance and Flexible Learning (DFL) centre on the JAC campus. This initiative aims to expand educational access to surrounding communities and is currently in the preliminary phase, with plans for comprehensive assessments to ensure it meets community needs.

Dr. Katovai called on fellow SINU academics to actively engage with schools and local communities, underscoring the importance of community service as a foundational pillar of academia. “SINU must serve as a symbol of hope,” he emphasized, highlighting the university’s commitment to building strong connections across the Solomon Islands. He expressed a vision for SINU to foster engagement at all levels from government and NGO partnerships to impactful collaborations with schools and communities in the provinces.
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