SOMARE OPENS U-PNG HONIARA OPEN CAMPUS

HONIARA, S.I.: Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister says his country is committed to sharing it's experiences and resources with Solomon Islands.

Prime Minister Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare thanked the government and people of Solomon Islands for accepting his country's involvement as a partner in development.

Sir Michael says PNG faces enormous challenges many of which are similar to what Solomon Islands faces.

He says in lending a helping hand, both countries will better understand their own challenges.

The PNG Prime Minister described the opening of the U-PNG Honiara Open Campus as a new frontier in Papua New Guinea's contribution to education in the region.

A good number of UPNG and UNITECH graduates, current UPNG Honiara Open Campus students and government, education, and diplomatic officials turned up this morning to witness the official opening of the U-PNG Honiara Open Campus.

The ceremony also included presentation of certificates of recognition to former graduates of UPNG and UNITECH including the Governor General of Solomon Islands Mr Frank Kabui, prominent lawyers both in the public and private practices, doctors, teachers, administrators and other professionals.

Meanwhile, the Solomon Islands Government welcomes the opening of the U-PNG Honiara Open Campus saying it is inline with the policy of providing higher education to the people of Solomon Islands.

The comments were made by Prime Minister Dr Derek Sikua at the opening of the U-PNG Open Campus in Honiara today.

Dr Sikua said Open Campus is seen as an important step forward in providing further access to Solomon Islands nationals to tertiary education opportunities.

He said this is important in the development of the country's human resources through the training of a knowledgeable, highly trained and competent workforce.
SOURCE: sibconline, 13/10/2009

UPNG OPEN CAMPUS TO OPEN IN HONIARA

HONIARA, S.I.: The University of Papua New Guinea Open Campus in Honiara is to be officially opened on Tuesday.

UPNG Honiara Open Campus Director Hugo Kop said the official opening will be graced by the presence of Prime Ministers Sir Michael Somare of PNG and Dr Derek Sikua.

He said other officials to attend the opening include executive officers from the University of Papua New Guinea, the University of Technology, the Solomon Islands College of Higher Education and senior government officials.

The UPNG Honiara Open Campus is a joint venture between the University of Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands College of Higher Education.

Mr Kop said the Honiara Open Campus is an undertaking implemented under a memorandum of agreement between the two institutions.
SOURCE: sibconline, 10/10/2009

SOLOMON ISLANDS BAND WINS SONG COMPETITION

HONIARA, S.I.: Solomon Islands band, Devande, has won the Pacific Break 2009 musical contest.

The band's winning entry is their optimistic song “Everything”. It's about remaining positive in the face of unrequited love, Devande merged triumphant from a pool of more than 70 entries.

As the winner of the competition, Devande’ will perform in front of thousands at Fest’napuan, Vanuatu’s annual music festival in November this year.

Radio Australia will live broadcast the event across the Pacific.

Spanning five time zones and more than 20 countries, the search for the best original unsigned musicians in the Pacific.

Radio Australia says Pacific Break has again established a strong case for the Pacific region as a contender for the greatest untapped resource in the musical world.

The final result was an amazing mix of hip-hop, pop, traditional, contemporary, instrumental, metal, rock, gospel and island reggae.
Source: sibconline, 19/09/09