𝐌𝐏𝐆 𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐔 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐔 𝐀𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐠𝐞𝐨 𝐜𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐮𝐬

𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞

𝟎𝟗-𝟎𝟖-𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒

The Malaita Provincial Government (MPG) under the leadership of Premier Elijah Asilaua has taken a significant step to accept a proposal by the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) to establish a 4th campus at Aligegeo.
Premier Asilau confirmed the decision this morning, stating that Malaita Province will not let the opportunity to host SINU’s 4th campus in Malaita slip away. He described the decision as both a collective and a historic one for SINU and Malaita Province.
The Premier noted that establishing a 4th campus in Malaita is a way forward, and Malaitans will greatly benefit from this wonderful educational initiative. “For so long, Malaitans have been seeking tertiary education in Honiara and other parts of the world, which is very costly and time-consuming. Having SINU Aligegeo campus here in Malaita will enable Malaitans to study at home and obtain their desired qualifications right here,” he said.
With that, Premier Asilaua announced that his government is looking forward to signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with SINU soon to seal this milestone initiative.
Currently, SINU has three campuses, all located in Honiara: Kukum, Ranadi, and Panatina. The SINU Aligegeo campus will be the 4th campus.The Vice Chancellor, Professor Transform Aqorau, expressed his profound gratitude, saying that this is a monumental decision that will transform Auki town and contribute significantly to the development of Malaita.
“This decision to establish the 4th campus of SINU at Aligegeo is not just a strategic one but also deeply personal for me,” Professor Aqorau said. “Aligegeo holds a special place in our nation’s history as the site of the first national secondary school in Solomon Islands, King George VI School. Seeing this vision fulfilled at a place where many of my uncles once studied is deeply meaningful.”
Professor Aqorau continued, “This is a sentimental decision for me as my father, Francis Talasasa, was the first Solomon Islander District Officer in Malaita. He literally walked from Auki to what is now the head road to survey the Northern Malaita road. If I can, in a small way, continue the development journey my father started in the late 1950s and early 1960s by establishing the 4th Campus of SINU at Aligegeo, it would be my way of contributing to Malaita’s development and honouring his legacy.”
He further emphasised the broader impact of this initiative, saying, “The investment effort to construct this campus will be a huge economic boost to the local community. The presence of a university in Malaita will bring significant contributions, from job creation to infrastructure development, and will foster a more educated and empowered population.”
In concluding his remarks, Professor Aqorau called on the national government and international donors to rally behind this important investment in Malaita. “The support of Premier Asilaua and the Malaita Provincial Government is something that all Malaitans should be proud of. However, the success of this initiative will require the collective effort of not just the provincial government, but also the national government and our international partners. I urge the national government and our donor partners to support this investment in Malaita, as it is an investment in the future of our nation,” Professor Aqorau concluded.
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