The following news talks about the Korea International Cooperation Agency
(KOICA)'s recent work with Solomon Islands National University (SINU).
KOICA Hands Over New Aquaculture Lab to SINU
21 March 2019
It
was on December of 2017 that KOICA presented to Solomon Islands National
University (SINU) the world class Fisheries complex which young Solomon
Islanders are currently enjoying today.
Wednesday's KOICA’s generous assistance was again
witnessed by SINU with the handing over of the new Aquaculture
Laboratory.
Speaking during the hand-over ceremony, Country Director of KOICA Mr. Jong Yong
Park said the Aquaculture or Fish culture Laboratory is to strengthen the
capacity of the Department of Fisheries Studies in the Solomon Islands.
He further stated that KOICA is fully aware that agriculture, fisheries and
education are the priority sectors in Solomon Islands and as a donor country,
Republic of Korea has confidently forged the partnership with Solomon Islands
to strengthen the mutual cooperation between the two governments and effect
change for the good and prosperity of the recipient country.
“The laboratory will help to establish a base of research and development
institute in SINU which may be maintained and developed to become the hub for
Fisheries studies in the country and eventually become one of the best
scientific research institute in the south pacific region,” said Mr. Park.
Receiving the gift on behalf of SINU was the Dean of School of Technology and
Maritime Studies and Currently Acting Pro-Vice Chancellor Corporate Solomon
Pita.
“Since 2017, SINU has been privileged as one of the academic institutions to
benefit from the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) Volunteer
Program.
“This timely opportunity fell in line with the successful completion of the
construction of the Department of Fisheries Studies (DFS) building complex.
Volunteers with specific expertise in various relevant sectors were dispatched
to a few schools and departments in SINU.
“DFS was fortunate to be one of those departments; receiving an aquaculture
expert for the Aquaculture strand of its programs. Hosting this KOICA volunteer
has been a win-win academic and technical experience for the department, the
volunteer, and KOICA,” Mr. Pita responded.
Pro-Vice Chancellor Corporate (Ag) then thanked the people of the Republic of
Korea through KOICA for their continuous support.
He concluded by promising to maintain and use the facility to achieve its
objectives, SINU and DFS highly anticipate that the KOICA volunteer program
will continue into the future.
The department demonstrates its commitment to sustain such relationship and
development by developing a comprehensive Strategic Plan for the foreseeable
future.
This document is an important achievement for this new Department and today we
also celebrate its successful completion and launching.