Overview
The Faculty of Science and Technology (FST) is the science and technology hub of the Solomon Islands National University (SINU). It offers courses in the pure sciences, technology, TVET, and engineering. The Faculty of Science and Technology (FST) is transitioned from the former School of Technology and Maritime Studies with the inclusion of the sciences, computing, and mathematics as the new School within its structure. The Faculty is comprised of three schools. The three schools are:
1. School of Science
2. School of Built Environment
3. School of Transportation
The School of Science has five departments with five bachelor courses/programs currently being developed. The departments are biology, physics, chemistry, mathematics and computer science. The courses/programs are the Bachelor of Science majoring in biology, physics, chemistry, mathematics and computer science. The former Institute of Technology and Institute of Maritime and Fisheries Studies now form the School of Built Environment and the School of Transportation. The departments under the School of Built Environment are civil engineering and surveying, mechanical engineering, electrical and electronic engineering and building and construction. The School of Transportation has the maritime academy and the department of automotive engineering.
The Faculty of Science and Technology is hosted on three campuses of the SINU. The School of Science is located at Panatina campus and the School of Built Environment is located at Kukum campus. While the School of Transportation’s Maritime Academy is located at Ranadi campus and the School of Transportation’s Automotive Engineering department is located at Kukum campus.
Dean of the Faculty
Dr. Eric Katovai
Dr. Eric Katovai is an accomplished academic and environmental biologist specialising in ecosystem functioning, plant ecology, and conservation and restoration. He currently serves as the Acting Pro Vice-Chancellor – Academic and Dean/Associate Professor in the Faculty of Science and Technology at the Solomon Islands National University (SINU).
With 17 years of experience in academia, Dr. Katovai has held various administrative roles in the institutions he has worked for. Notably, he was the Assistant Dean of the School of Science and Technology at Pacific Adventist University (PAU) from 2015 to 2018, and in 2018, he served as the Director of Research and Postgraduate at PAU. Additionally, he was the Biodiversity Conservation Research Group Leader at the University of the South Pacific (USP) from 2019 to 2022.
His expertise lies in the field of Tropical Forest Ecology in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Throughout his decade-and-a-half-long research career, he has focused on topics such as biodiversity, vegetation dynamics and ecosystem functioning in human-altered landscapes, land-use management, and restoration of highly degraded forests.
Dr. Katovai is actively involved in several research and landscape rehabilitation projects in the Solomon Islands. He is passionate about encouraging young and upcoming scientists and academics to engage in research that addresses the specific needs of their country.
His academic achievements include a Doctor of Philosophy in Tropical Ecology from James Cook University, Australia, a Master of Science in Conservation Biology from the University of Queensland, Australia, and Bachelor's degrees in Biology and Physics, as well as a Bachelor of Education in Biology and Physics from Pacific Adventist University, Papua New Guinea.