SISA NEW EXECUTIVE

The Solomon Islands students studying in Fiji have elected their new SISA executive on Monday 26th September 2011. Returning officer Mr Steve Kumi declared the results of  the election through SISA email circulation. The candidates with a majority voters declared winner for the new executive for 2011 -2012. These are the results of the election:

President: Hilda Foasi Hiriasia with a total of 183 voters runner up by Dennis Habu with 129 and followed by Charlie Tango with 80 voters.

Vice President: Patrick Toiraena (190) runner up Douglas Gafutu Cherry (187).

Secretary: Eldin Devesi (149) followed by Ernest Mae (122) and Grayson Alegao (109).

For the treasurer post Mr. Willy Gulu has declared winner as unopposed after the closing date of nomination on Tuesday 20th September 2011.

Another group of leaders are selected to lead and look after the wellfare of the students here at USP. The task is not that easy but with simple unity the burden can be shared among the shoulders with very little wight to carry by each. God bless SISA.

Bonito Hooked

The Solomon Islands national team - Bonito recently recieved silver medal after defeated by the host nation New Caledonia in the grand final. Congratulation boys for the perfect job well done although expectations fall short.

I have observed after the lose that there is a great silence in the country not one even bother to voice out his views regarding the defeat. Don't know why the nation remain silent after the result turns black. Personally, I believed that this is the right hour to give the SIFF and head coach a vision for the Bonito to work towards the upcoming world cup elimation tournament in Fiji coming June 2012. We should not remain silent but presurise the head coach to begin with training sessions rather than preparing for one or two months before tounaments due date. I have observed that the lenght of training and preparation adopted by the team is very poor it lasted for about one or two months. Such preparation does not earn the nation victory but brings sorrow and tears to many yet the team coach remain blind. Now is the time to get the training programs started. Don't wait for last two months before organising and selecting a team for the tournament. We are in a new dimension, the level of football is improving but still Solomon Islands national team can't reach higher level of achievements.

I believe we have potential players who can win games. I believe once these boys are given amble time to prepare and having several friendlies overseas then tears of joy can be seen in the eyes of many.

Get prepared boys since another game is coming it's good to improve from two months to four or even five months of preparation.

Once again Go Solo Go!

Church farewell Australian female

Adaliua South Seas Evangelical Church (SSEC) in the borderline area of central Honiara farewell an Australian female member on Sunday.

Pr Moses Omearo said the farewell function was held for Sue Morrison at the church compound.
A large number of church members including Child development program director(DPD) Lydia Yeo and few other prominent guests witnessed the farewell ceremony.

Pr Moses said Sue has been working in the country under the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon island (RAMSI) as a finance officer under the division of anti-corruption department.
During her time in Honiara she attended Adeliua church several times for two years and participate in the Sunday services.

Pr Moses said the church had given Ms Morrison an opportunity to present her final remarks during her farewell party. “Sue had been a faithful and committed member who always spend time with us every Sunday to worship,” he said.

The church said they will miss her presence and support towards the church.
“We wish her a God`s blessing as she returns to her family in Australia.”

Ms Morrison left Honiara yesterday.

Source: Solomon Star

Dolphin ban

Gov’t pass policy to ban dolphin export by 2012


THE Cabinet has passed a new policy to ban the export of dolphins beginning January next year.
The decision was passed on Thursday last week during a Cabinet meeting. 


“This importantly implies that come January 1st 2012, the ban on dolphin export will become effective,” a statement from the Ministry of Environment and Conservation said. However, the statement said from now until the end of this year, dolphin exporters are allowed to export on a quota of 50 dolphins per year.

This is to allow dolphin exporters to change their business strategy, since the ban would be effective until the end of this year.The decision is likely to put an end to live dolphin export out of the country since the export was lifted by the previous Government led by Dr Derek Sikua.This was, when they passed a decision to export a quota of 50 animals per year.Therefore, as a way to preserve our dolphins, the Cabinet had decided to put a close to this activity of dolphin export, the ministry said in a statement.

“As a responsible Government, the National Coalition and Rural Advancement (NCRA) have to take care of Solomon Islanders including the interest of Solomon Islands exporters,” the statement said. 


“As a responsible government, that is our foremost responsibility.” 


The Government believes their recent decision was a fair policy approach to protect dolphin exporters and to protect the country’s new policy shift from off-shore to onshore fisheries resources development.

The statement said their decision had nothing to do with outside pressure from local and international conservation groups. 


“This ban on dolphin export is not in response to the outbursts of Earth Island Institute and Animal Welfare groups,” it said. “It is however, in response to the call for conservation of marine species as specified in the NCRA Policy Statement and respective strategic and corporate plans of the Environment Ministry and Fisheries Ministry.”

source: solomon star

Our culture ,our life.

 Nomatter where we end up in life ,after all it comes back that our culture is important.When speaking of culture,the one in focus is the shared belief  or our practises we are accustomed to from our forefathers.In Solomon Islands ,it is evidential that imitation of westernization is apparent.The gradual adoption of ideas or in whatever degree they come from abroad undeniably cannot be disputed or condemned ,for we are living in an advanced world where life is not backward pressing but onwards .Those ideas we adopt are beneficial for living however the crucial thing is despite this fact our willingness to keep our culture''s flame burning should be maintained whereever applicable rather than letting them be shunned by the ideas of westernization .This attitude is stikingly sad.

As youths ,scholars of this generation,or whatever walk of life you are engaged in ,one thing to be sure of is our culture is our life, it determines who we really are .Thus whereever we can ,in villages ,we should be at all times ready to embrace teachings we get from the old regarding culture.The values, symbols, interpretations, and perspectives distinguishes us from the world causing us to be unique -Solomon Islanders.This should be our pride.

Long live my Solomon Islands.

GG meets USP SISA

The Governor General of Solomon Islands, His excellency Sir Frank Kabui meets Solomon Islands students studying at USP today at the Marine lecture theater at the lower campus of USP. Sir Frank was accompanied by his wife and other government officials to the meeting and was welcomed by the Acting President of SISA Mr. David Manetiva on behalf of the student body. Manetiva highlighted that the students appreciated his coming regardless of tight schedules and commitments and moreover anticipated that they will be fed with words of encouragements from His Excellency.

Sir Frank on his speech emphasized two important principles that students need to take heed of. The first, was that students need to understand their nation's need of their service afterwards. The entire people and the government of Solomon Islands are in need of the skills, knowledge and of course talents that student's obtain upon successive years of studying.Thus students must go back after graduating with a heart to serve the country. As an illustration, Sir Frank briefed the students on how he served Solomon Islands after he left University as a Lawyer by profession. With toil and hard work he sincerely served the nation until in 2009 when he was elected as the Solomon Islands Governor General. He further expressed that during his years of service life was not easy, but with determination and courage he managed to perform his work faithfully till he ended up to where he was now.

Earning a professional qualification was another important principle the Governor General adviced the student of. He stated that students must work hard to achieve their qualification since the certificate is analogous to passport to wherever in the world. Once obtaining a degree, students could work any where in the world. Although brain drainage is often viewed as a controversial issue but he believed this is one way of improving the economy. Those working abroad can help the economy by way of sending home monetary assistance or remmitance to immediate family members.

In his final remarks, Sir Frank persuaded students to work extra harder since the nation of Solomon Islands rely on its students as the human resources for improvement of service and production which can lead to a healthy economy.

God bless Solomon Islands.

The waves of Facebook hits USP at its hardest!!

Facebook is one of a social network site designed for the purpose of chatting, meeting friends and of course sharing ideas through the internet. Currently, Facebook is the famous site of use through out the world with the largest number of users.The University of the South Pacific is no exception with almost 90% of its students at least having a facebook account. Recently, the USP had imposed a measure on the usage of  school computer labs for the sake of Facebooking or social networking and that is students will not be able to access their facebook accounts from 8am in the morning till 8pm at the evening.The action taken by the USP Board was imposed after complaints were raised  about students using the computer labs during school hours for chatting on facebook and other sites rather than using the computers for accademic purposes such as studying or typing of assignments.As such the USP network admin are working on schemes to stop students from  accessing  their FB account within this timeframe, 8am to 8pm weekly.

USP mid-break: What does it bring?

The University of the South Pacific is now in its  final week before going into a mid break for the second semester 2011.This week is often viewed as quite a tough week for some students while to others it is just another week of relaxation. Walking around the campus ,it is noticeable that a lot of students are putting much effort in studying for their mid term papers at every corners of the campuses while others are huddling in groups chatting endlessly which one can only conclude from experience that it is indeed already a normal life here at USP . The final weekend before the break is a moment of joy for the local students since most of them will be going back home to meet their parents and love ones,a time of reunion with their near and dear.
 While for the foreign students it will be a week of site viewing, playing and of course fun time at the Fiji night clubs.