𝗗𝗥. 𝗦𝗜𝗞𝗨𝗔: 𝗦𝗜𝗡𝗨 𝗩𝗖’𝘀 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗠𝗜𝗦𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚

Dr. Derek Sikua says he appreciates the response from the Vice-Chancellor of the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) Dr. Transform Aqorau to his statement regarding policies and procedures for PhD programmes at SINU, but states Dr. Aqorau’s statement was misleading and designed to whitewash the weaknesses in the University’s policies and its administration of academic programmes, especially postgraduate degrees.  

“I thank Dr. Aqorau for informing the public about the policies and procedures and the framework for postgraduate research administered by the Office of Research and Postgraduate Studies (ORPS). However, his statement was disingenuous and designed to hide what really happens at SINU,” Dr. Sikua said.  

“While the policies and procedures he outlined might look good in a media statement, they have either not been followed in the administration of a PhD programme, or have been followed haphazardly,” Dr. Sikua said.   

He proposes there should be an independent review on how SINU has administered its postgraduate programmes, especially PhD, which  “could potentially reveal that policies and procedures have not been followed or have been done so haphazardly.” He said it will show whether the PhD programme at SINU has been established, approved, and managed in accordance with the SINU Act, the university’s internal academic policies, and the Policy on Higher Degree by Research. 

Dr. Sikua states these include: (1) Formal documentation of approval process; (2) Programme proposal and application; (3) Adherence to SINU Act (2012); (4) Compliance with academic policies; (5) Policy on higher degree by research; (6) Academic quality assurance; (7) Financial and operational records; ( Student enrollments and admissions records; (9) Partnership agreements if the PhD programme involves partnerships with external institutions; and, (10) Publication of programme information, as evidence that the PhD programme has been publicly announced, with details published on SINU’s website or in official university brochures, including the programme’s objectives, course structure, and admission requirements. 

Dr. Sikua said there should be minutes from meetings of the SINU Senate and University Council showing that the PhD programme was discussed, evaluated, and formally approved. These minutes should include: (i) Agenda items related to the introduction of the PhD programme; (ii) Evidence of a vote or decision to approve the programme; (iii) Details of the deliberation process and any conditions for approval. He said there should also be an official approval correspondence confirming the approval of the PhD programme by both the Senate and University Council.  

Dr. Sikua urges the SINU Council to demand a review. “It is not to discredit anyone, much less the Vice-Chancellor, but to ensure these policies and procedures are followed in the administration of postgraduate programmes in order to guarantee the establishment and maintenance of high academic quality.” 

He expressed concern that the SINU Council has not met since last year, saying “the SINU Statues (Chapter 3, Section 2.2.1) stipulates that Council meets ‘at least three times in each calendar year.’ The fact that it has not met since 2023 raises questions about the governance of the University and the legitimacy of decision-making, especially on issues requiring Council’s approval.” 

Dr. Sikua said he notes with interest Dr. Aqorau’s email of 19th September 2024 to the Manager of SINU Council “frantically requesting for a Council meeting.” In that email Dr. Aqorau stated, “The Council’s failure to meet so far this year has started to negatively impact the University’s governance structure and overall operational effectiveness.” 

“That was the day after I made my media statement and when Dr. Aqorau’s secretary emailed asking for a meeting. So, if I had not raised the issue, he might never have requested for a SINU Council meeting,” Dr. Sikua said. 

Despite these, Dr. Sikua states he has confidence in Dr. Aqorau’s leadership as Vice-Chancellor and “his vision of taking SINU to higher levels. I am however concerned that in the euphoria of big visions and in obsessions with optics of success we might neglect basic and quality administration of academic programmes.”  

“Dr. Aqorau is a visionary leader for SINU and Solomon Islands. I have deep respect for and trust in him and think he should be supported to lead our university. Perhaps he needs strong administrators at the pro-VC level and lower,” Dr. Sikua said.  

He went on to say, “As mentioned in my previous statement, I raised these issues in good faith as someone who appreciates SINU’s importance to our country, and simultaneously concerned about setting and maintaining high academic standards and the integrity of SINU. I was hoping the SINU management would take my views constructively to improve our university.”  

He said his letter of 3rd September 2024 was to the Chair of the SINU Council, Dr. Morgan Wairiu, who subsequently responded on 4th September thanking him for the letter and promising to respond. However when he did not respond, Dr. Sikua sent a follow-up email on 18th September. That was when Dr. Wairiu responded.  

Dr. Sikua said he chose to go out to the media, not because he disregarded other avenues of conversation or was suffering from “relevance deficiency syndrome,” as suggested by Dr. Aqorau, but because he felt his initial letter was ignored and the response that eventually came seemed designed to sweep his concerns under the carpet rather than genuinely address them. He acknowledges the email from the Vice-Chancellor on 19th September requesting a meeting, but he had by then left for his village.  

“I am a Solomon Islander who pays tax, have relatives who attend SINU, and believe in the importance of our university and aspire for its success. I therefore have the right to express my concerns,” Dr. Sikua said.  

Dr. Sikua said he was disappointed Dr. Aqorau chose to make personal criticisms “and roll out his CV as though this was about the two of us. This was about ensuring SINU establishes and maintains high academic qualities. It was neither about me, nor Aqorau’s achievements. It was about SINU. As for ‘relevance’, I am happy where I am professionally and personally – I am on my island.”   Dr. Sikua said he looks forward to having 𝑡𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑢𝑡𝑢𝑔𝑢 (conversations) with Dr. Aqorau and other members of the SINU management when the time is right. He urges “Solomon Islanders to raise and discuss issues that would help improve our country.”  

Dr. Sikua said the SINU Council must meet and deliberate on the issues he raised.

End//