REMOTE SOLOMONS SCHOOL RECEIVES COMPUTER HELP FROM GEORGIA

A school in one of Solomon Islands remote atoll islands is the latest recipient of computers donated by the Government of Georgia under a bilateral agreement with the Solomon Islands Government.

Representatives of Tapuaki Community High School on Sikaiana Island in the Malaita Outer Islands have received three desktop computers on Friday 7^th October in Honiara.

Tapuaki Community High School is the second recipient in two weeks to receive computers under this bilateral agreement.

The Georgian Government had promised in 2012 to distribute 1000 computers to Solomon Islands through the Solomon Islands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade.

Deputy Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Mr. William Soaki, said the School has met the requirements to receive assistance given its geographical location and the Ministry was happy to assist upon receiving the school’s request.

School Principal, Mr Thomas Sapiuaka said they were thankful to the Georgian Government’s support and that this gift would be able to help 160 students enrolled in the School.

Rural based Schools in Malaita, Temotu, Choiseul, Western, and Makira Provinces have been beneficiaries so far under this arrangement.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs & External Trade is encouraging high schools located outside of Honiara town to express their interest to be considered under the assistance. Rural based high schools are especially encouraged to apply.

Source: Government Communication Unit

SOLOMON ISLANDS ASSURES USP OF COMMITMENT TOWARDS QUALITY EDUCATION IN THE REGION

From (L-R) USP Pro Chancellor Winston Thompson,
Acting Prime Minister Manasseh Maelanga &
USP Vice Chancellor Professor Rajesh Chandra

The Solomon Islands Acting Prime Minister Manasseh Maelanga has assured the University of the South Pacific (USP) of the Government’s commitment to ensure the University provides quality education in the region.

Mr Maelanga made the assurance at a courtesy meeting with USP’s Pro Chancellor Winston Thompson and Vice Chancellor Professor Rajesh Chandra in Honiara today.

At the top of their meeting agenda was the Solomon Islands campus and the undersea fiber optic cable project which is important for the provision of ICT services in education.

The two USP heads are currently in Honiara to attend the Solomon Islands USP graduation ceremony this week.

Mr Thompson expressed appreciation towards the Government of Solomon Islands for its ongoing commitment and supports towards the University.

He also informed Mr Maelanga of the signing of project documents between the USP and the ADB this month and tenders for the construction of the USPSI campus are expected to be launched soon.

“Solomon Islands as the second largest member of the USP family need to move rapidly as possible to produce quality training opportunities to improve the human resource needs of the country,” Mr Thompson said.

USP’s Vice Chancellor Professor Rajesch Chandra said the USP is keen to see a quicker development of the undersea fiber optic cable project in Solomon Islands.

He said information communication technology (ICT) makes all learning better by opening up free educational resources to students.

“We want to provide quality education to Solomon Islands and the University is keen to see quicker developments on the fiber optic cable project here in the Solomons to support education services,” Professor Chandra said.

He highlighted that the completion of the USPSI Campus will solve the overcrowding problem at the current USP Honiara campus which affects students learning environment.

With the commitment and assurance by the Solomon Islands Government, the USP and the ADB, the Solomon Islands campus is expected to be completed in 2018.

A Call for support

There are leaders who raise their voices to call in a situation for attention, assistance, support or to disrupt action. At the UN World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul, Turkey, Fiji Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has called on the global community to assist Fiji with the funds needed to build Fiji's resiliency to climate change. In Vanuatu, the prime minister launched a flash appeal asking the international community for help towards the victims of cyclone Pam. On July 24th 2003, RAMSI began arriving in Solomon Islands following a call from the Governor General Sir John Lapli to regain and maintain peace and order in the country, that was mess up during the ethnic tension. These are examples of leaders who made a call for support.

While the citizens are depending entirely on the national leaders to move the nation forward, there are leaders who faces challenges and determine to make a call for support, to generate change. Over the media, it is noticed that there was a call from the Premier of Malaita Province to all Malaitans to step forward with support and initiative to build a Malaita Provincial Assembly Chamber in Auki. For easy administration, the Island of Malaita was divided into 5 regions - Eastern, Northern, Central, Southern and Malaita Outer- Island. It was speculated that the chamber symbolizes unity among the 5 regions. This is another leader's call for support directed to its native people - Malaitans.

Now what will Malaitans do? Will they respond? Malaitans are known for hard working and action-oriented people. No one knows only time will tell.

Following the call, the people gathered and responded by establishing a coordinating committee to lead and organized fundraising drives towards the development of the plan. The question now is, what is next?    

Guitar

Do you own a guitar? I know there are lot of people who cannot afford to get one. But wait a minute, here's a good news for you, nowadays, you don't need to buy a guitar anymore, the technology has it all. 

My professor Mr David Chun has introduced me to a YouTube clip demonstrating android apps to play guitar. It was awesome to know that there are huge apps available to play musical instruments. There are great apps for iPhone and android platforms.

Have a look at this demo, you're gonna like it.

Solomon Islanders Undertake Investigator Training

Candidates with their certificates

Forty three Solomon Islanders undertook a rigorous training program on conducting investigations into alleged corrupt activities or misconduct over the last two weeks.  

Last Friday, the candidates were granted a Certificate IV in Government (Investigations) – an internationally accepted qualification.

Building the capacity of investigators aims to deliver a long-term benefit. Effective and competently conducted investigations significantly improves the ability of decision makers to implement appropriate outcomes following investigations, be they criminal, administrative or disciplinary actions, or systemic improvements designed to prevent misconduct or maladministration occurring in the future.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance and Treasury has been a key advocate for this training, “Strong investigation capacity means strong governance, and all Solomon Islanders will benefit.”

The Certificate is an internationally recognized qualification which will support the audit, inspection and investigative functions undertaken by authorized officers in a range of Solomon Islands Government Ministries and Agencies. 

The training has been developed based on the relevant Solomon Islands legislation, and will focus on investigations into breaches of the Solomon Islands Public Financial Management Act, Public Service Act, Public Service Commission Regulations, Leadership Code (Further Provisions) Act and the Penal Code.  

The principles and work practices covered by the course are directly relevant to the review role of internal audit and more specifically, to the investigative role.

Mr Francis Otto, President of the Association of Internal Auditors (Solomon Islands) stated “The training establishes a strong capacity to investigate fraud and corruption in the Solomon Islands. We aim to promote transparency and accountability, ensuring public funds are utilized effectively and efficiently. It is part of an overall plan to improve public financial management, providing a solid foundation for economic growth in the Solomon Islands.”

The program was a joint initiative of the Ministry of Finance and Treasury and Association of Internal Auditors (Solomon Islands), funded by the Australian Government.