The Solomon Islands National University (SINU) was pleased to host the Honourable Michael Salini, Premier of the Central Islands Province, and his accompanying delegation for a high-level meeting with SINU Vice Chancellor, Professor Transform Aqorau. The discussions centred on the proposal to establish the flagship Centre for Islands Futures (CIF) within the Central Islands Province, with particular interest in two proposed sites: Tulagi in Gela and Pavuvu in the Russell Islands.
The Centre for Islands Futures is a visionary initiative. It aims to position the Solomon Islands as a global leader in Indigenous knowledge systems, sustainable island governance, and climate-resilient development. By embedding ancestral wisdom into academic curricula and applied research, the Centre will offer unique programmes and living laboratories that connect students with island communities, their environments, and cultural practices.
Premier Salini welcomed the opportunity to partner with SINU, stating,“the Central Islands Province, with its unique geography, rich cultural traditions, and accessibility, is ideally suited to host a Centre of this significance. Locating the CIF here will not only strengthen our province’s development potential but also reaffirm our identity as custodians of knowledge deeply rooted in our islands’ histories and futures.”
The Centre’s focus on “Living Labs” and Indigenous innovation will bring students and researchers into direct engagement with community-based sustainability solutions, traditional ecological knowledge, and local governance systems. Its proposed postgraduate and research programmes—ranging from climate adaptation to Indigenous governance—are expected to attract local and international scholars and catalyse new opportunities for economic and social advancement.
Vice Chancellor Professor Transform Aqorau emphasised the University’s broader strategic commitment to decentralising higher education and making it more accessible to rural and remote communities.
“At SINU, we believe education should not be confined to urban centres. By bringing higher learning into our rural heartlands, we enable our people to study and thrive in their own environments. Establishing the Centre for Islands Futures in the Central Islands Province aligns with our mission to democratise knowledge and cultivate the next generation of critical thinkers, ethical leaders, and agents of sustainable change.”
Two potential sites will now be subject to further scoping and feasibility assessments:
– Tulagi, the historical capital of the Solomon Islands, offering strategic maritime significance and infrastructure.
– Pavuvu, located in the Russell Islands, known for its pristine environment and potential to serve as a model for sustainable island development.
The CIF is supported through a collaborative framework involving SINU, the Islands Knowledge Institute (IKI), Arizona State University, and global partners such as Nia Tero. Its programmes will include postgraduate diplomas, master’s and PhD opportunities, community-driven research hubs, and international summits on Island Futures.
The initiative further aligns with the Solomon Islands Government’s national development goals and regional frameworks such as the Pacific Resilience Framework (2020–2030), supporting climate-resilient pathways for island nations.
As the CIF progresses towards its formal establishment, today’s dialogue marks a significant step in forging place-based, people-centred solutions for a sustainable Pacific future. SINU and the Central Islands Province are committed to ensuring that the CIF becomes a beacon of excellence not just for Solomon Islanders, but for island peoples across the region and beyond.
