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Professor Transform Aqorau, Vice Chancellor of the Solomon Islands National University (SINU), and Dr. Morgan Wairiu, Chair of the SINU Council, will travel to the Peopleโs Republic of China from April 24 to May 3, 2025, as part of a high-level Solomon Islands delegation led by His Excellency Baratt Salato, Solomon Islands Ambassador to China.
The delegation includes representatives from national and provincial government, academia, and the private sector: the Honourable Laurence Hayward, Premier of Isabel Province; Mr. Michael Hoโota, Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock; Ms. Michelle Lam, Special Adviser to the Isabel Provincial Government on Business Development; and Solomon Islands business leader, Mr. Yang Jian Qing, Director of JQY.
The delegationโs agenda is focused on deepening academic partnerships, building research and development capacity, and securing tangible outcomes in sustainable agriculture, ocean science, and vocational education.
โThis is not a ceremonial tour,โ said Professor Aqorau. โWe are actively seeking concrete supportโsupport that results in infrastructure on the ground, learning opportunities for our students, and new research pathways for our staff. Weโre turning agreements into action.โ
The itinerary includes key institutional visits across Shandong and Hainan Provinces, with engagements at Oceans University of China, Liaocheng University, Jiangsu University, and the Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences (CATAS).
Among the anticipated outcomes of the visit is the formal launch of a Mariculture and Aquaculture Research and Development Centre in Isabel Province, developed under SINUโs partnership with Oceans University of China and implemented through a Public-Private Partnership involving JQY Enterprise and the Isabel Provincial Government.
โThis Centre will be the first international joint research facility for SINU,โ said Dr. Morgan Wairiu. โItโs a tangible example of academic cooperation that delivers both educational and economic benefitsโbridging theory and practice and empowering our communities.โ
At Liaocheng University, the delegation will build on a recent MoU focusing on collaborative research, climate resilience, cultural exchange, and digital learning. The initiative also opens the door for the establishment of Chinese language and cultural studies programmes at SINU.
A central pillar of the delegationโs mission is engagement with Jiangsu University, aimed at securing support for SINUโs planned Fourth Campus in Malaita Province. This new campus will focus on agricultural education, research, and rural innovation. Jiangsu Provinceโs sister-province relationship with Malaita provides a strong platform for meaningful cooperation.
โWith Jiangsuโs support, we hope to build a campus that is locally grounded and globally relevant,โ said Professor Aqorau. โIt will serve as a catalyst for transforming Malaitaโs agricultural sector through practical training, innovation, and entrepreneurship.โ
The visit will conclude with high-level discussions at CATAS, reinforcing the commitment to joint research on tropical agriculture, sustainable food systems, and smart farming technologies.
โThis visit exemplifies what it means for a university to serve national interests,โ said Dr. Wairiu. โWe are looking for practical partnershipsโfacilities, funding, faculty development, and student exchange. These are the building blocks of a stronger, smarter Solomon Islands.โ
The delegation will return to Honiara on May 3, 2025, and provide a comprehensive briefing to the SINU Council, key government stakeholders, and the broader university community.
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