Overview
Since the establishment of the School of Nursing under the Solomon Islands College of Higher Education in 1984, the school has always been providing pre-service, in-service Nursing Education and other Allied Health Sciences. The training aims to produce well educated, competent graduates who are capable of delivering safe effective nursing care, rehabilitation and Health Promotion to individuals, families and communities in the Solomon Islands.
The school in its Academic expansion has worked closely in the previous years with the Auckland University of Technology (AUT) and has developed the first Bachelor’s Degree in the country. This Bachelor of Nursing degree is designed for the Pacific and is more appropriate for nursing development in these regions.
The school started offering its Bachelor of Nursing courses in Semester 2 of 2011. It has three strands: Acute Nursing Practice, Primary Health Care, and Midwifery. In the recent years, the school has developed and offered the Bachelor of Nursing (Child Health Care) which is the fourth strand to its degree courses.
In 2017 there was again another milestone for the school where it developed and offered the first Post Graduate Diploma course. The Post Graduate Diploma of Health Leadership and Management was developed in response to the complex and persistent management issues which constrain health services delivery in Solomon Islands.
It is intended that graduates will contribute to the implementation of the current National Health Strategic Plan and beyond and provide leadership in the Provinces , hospitals and departments across the health sector, by strengthening health management at all levels including periphery and thereby improve the quality of health services and the health of the Solomon Islands Populations.
The Post Graduate Diploma of Health Leadership and Management also targets health workers in the region who are aspiring leaders.
Mission
To provide appropriate, quality health training and education that would have local, national, regional and international credibility.
Schools
- School of Nursing
- School of Public Health
- School of Medicine
Dean of Faculty
Dr Humpress Harrington
Dr Humpress Harrington is a Solomon Islander from Marovo Lagoon in the Western Province, with a distinguished career in nursing, education, and healthcare leadership. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy (Health) from James Cook University, Australia, along with advanced qualifications in adult learning and nursing from Massey University, New Zealand.
Humpress has extensive experience in academic and clinical settings. As the former Director of Nursing Education at Atoifi College of Nursing (2006–2013), he played a pivotal role in curriculum development, student mentorship, and program administration. His career includes serving as a Senior Lecturer, Junior Lecturer, and various nursing roles at Atoifi Adventist Hospital.
He is currently an Adjunct Lecturer with the School of Public Health, Tropical Medicine, and Rehabilitation Sciences at James Cook University, further contributing to healthcare education in the Pacific region.
Qualifications:
- Doctor of Philosophy (Health), 2022 – James Cook University, Cairns, Australia
- Master’s in Adult Learning (Education), 2005 – Massey University, New Zealand
- Postgraduate Diploma in Adult Learning (Education), 2001 – Massey University, New Zealand
- Bachelor of Nursing, 2000 – Massey University, New Zealand
- Certificate in Community Health, 1999 – Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Solomon Islands
- Certificate in General Nursing, 1995 – Atoifi College of Nursing, Malaita, Solomon Islands
- Solomon Islands Secondary School Certificate, 1992 – Kukudu Adventist High School, Gizo, Solomon Islands
Humpress is a dedicated professional who combines his expertise in nursing and education with a commitment to improving healthcare systems and mentoring the next generation of healthcare professionals.