BY JOY OFASIA
A total of 1,005 university students graduated from the Solomon Islands National University today during a ceremony held at Friendship Hall in Honiara. The event brought together families, lecturers, and guests to celebrate years of hard work and achievement.
Solomon Islands National University (SINU) Vice-Chancellor Professor Transform Aqorau congratulated the graduating class and praised the diversity of students from different fields of study. He also acknowledged 41 international students from Vanuatu who completed their studies at SINU.
“SINU celebrates a remarkable cohort drawn from a wide range of disciplines and learning pathways from our faculties and schools, including 41 international students from Vanuatu,” Professor Aqorau said.
He highlighted 33 top-performing students who achieved a GPA of 4.0 and above. “Their excellence deserves our admiration. What their results represent is discipline, perseverance and consistency,” he said.
Professor Aqorau reminded graduates that their success came through sacrifice and determination. “Your journey matters, your achievement matters and your presence on this stage matters,” he told them.
He said graduation ceremonies show public success, but behind each name called are personal struggles. “There are private stories of early mornings and late nights, of sacrifice, family responsibility, homesickness, uncertainty, disappointment and persistence,” he said.
Speaking on the theme Shaping the Future: Knowledge, Technology and Nation Building, he said it was more than a slogan. “It is a statement of purpose. The university exists not just to certify knowledge but to prepare minds, strengthen character and build communities,” he said.
He added that education works best when the whole community supports it. “Universities flourish best when the whole community stands behind them,” he said.
To the graduates, he gave a final message of encouragement. “You have earned this day. Wear your achievements with gratitude. Let your knowledge serve people, let your skills build communities, let your leadership bring hope,” Professor Aqorau said.
The ceremony marked a proud milestone for students, families, and the university community.
