𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐧 𝐈𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐃𝐞𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐞𝐥𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞

𝟏 𝐉𝐔𝐋𝐘 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓

The Solomon Islands National University (SINU) has recently concluded a week of high-level strategic engagements with the University of Melbourne, Australia, aimed at fostering deeper academic, research, and institutional collaboration.

Hosted by the University of Melbourne’s newly established Oceania Institute, the engagements featured a comprehensive programme of dialogues with key faculties and research centres, including the Faculty of Arts, the Asia Institute, Melbourne Climate Futures, the Centre for Climate and Disaster Resilience (CCDR), and the School of Geography, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences.

A highlight of the visit was the Oceania Conversations Forum, where SINU Vice Chancellor Professor Transform Aqorau delivered a keynote address titled “𝘎𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘓𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘖𝘤𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘢.” In his address, Professor Aqorau emphasised the importance of anchoring innovation and development in indigenous knowledge systems and strengthening regional leadership. He underscored the vital role that Pacific institutions like SINU must play in shaping the region’s research and policy directions.

The weeklong engagements, held from 23–25 June 2025 in Melbourne, resulted in a broad agreement on several promising areas for collaboration:

• Joint Research Initiatives: SINU and the University of Melbourne identified climate change adaptation, food systems resilience, and indigenous knowledge systems as key themes for future collaborative research, particularly aligned with SINU’s Living Labs and the Centre for Islands Futures.

• Postgraduate Pathways: Discussions explored the development of structured opportunities for SINU academic staff to pursue higher degree research at the University of Melbourne through co-supervision, joint research, and targeted scholarship programmes.

• Leadership and Capacity Building: The University of Melbourne expressed strong interest in supporting SINU’s upcoming Leadership Short Course scheduled for October 2025, and contributing to broader leadership development initiatives relevant to Pacific contexts.

• Curriculum and Digital Learning: Potential collaboration was explored around curriculum co-design and digital infrastructure sharing, drawing on Melbourne’s expertise to support SINU’s transition toward flexible and technology-enhanced learning models.

• Institutional Strengthening: Both institutions affirmed a shared interest in facilitating academic exchanges and peer learning to bolster SINU’s capabilities in governance, policy development, and knowledge translation.

Professor Aqorau noted that the outcomes of the visit represent a shared vision for long-term partnership, rooted in Pacific-led innovation and inclusive educational growth.

“This collaboration reflects SINU’s ongoing commitment to forging strategic partnerships that elevate our academic standards and solidify our role as a hub for transformative and contextually grounded knowledge in the Pacific,” he said.

The SINU delegation was led by Professor Aqorau and included Ms. Siona Koti, Executive Officer to the SINU VC at the Vice Chancellor’s Office.

END//

You can read the VC’s Speech at the University of Melbourne here: https://www.sinu.edu.sb/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/VC-Prof.-Transform-Speech-at-the-University-of-Melbourne-June-2025.pdf

[SINU Press Release]