EIGHTEEN (18) young Solomon Islanders have graduated with degrees from various universities in the Philippines, increasing the Government’s stocks of technical expertise.
But the lingering question is whether or not the government has the capacity to absorb them in the workforce remains.
These students are sponsored by the Government. They are part of 52 students who returned to the Philippines last year after the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced them to return to Solomon Islands, according to William Ruriti, the Student Secretary of the Solomon Islands Philippines Students Association (SIPSA).
Of the 52, eighteen have now completed their studies. The remaining students are expected to complete their studies by early next year and others later on,” Mr Ruriti said in an email.
Below is the list of the students who graduated and the universities they attended.
Frome AMA University (total of 17 SI Government Sponsored graduate Students). Only six managed to attend their graduation ceremony held on 10 September. Eleven students left after completing their program of studies earlier this year, according to Mr Ruriti, who is completing his own program in January next year.
- Tom Frank (Graduated with Bachelor of Science in Electronics Engineering)
- Laenibo Jairus (Graduated with Bachelor of Science in Electronics Engineering)
- Gatu Kenneth Leni (Graduated with Bachelor of Science in Electronics Engineering)
- Mamuila’a Ted (Graduated with Bachelor of Science in Electronics Engineering)
- Thimbo Martin (Graduated with Bachelor of Science in Electronics Engineering)
- Rapemora Nicholas (Graduated with Bachelor of Science in Electronics Engineering)
- Lavea Leonard (Graduated with Bachelor of Science in Electronics Engineering)
- HapI Noel (Graduated with Bachelor of Science in Electronics Engineering)
- Osi Joy (Graduated with Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering)
- Korai Johnson (Graduated with Bachelor of Science in Information Technology)
- Moali Davis Hamphrey (Graduated with Bachelor of Science in Information Technology)
- Wale Frank (Graduated with Bachelor of Science in Information Technology)
- Mark Francis (Graduated with Bachelor of Science in Information Technology)
- Moli Matthew Reuben Iakwai (Graduated with Bachelor of Science in Information Technology)
- Akwai Wilfred (Graduated with Bachelor of Science in Information Technology)
- Ometa Roselyn Kira (Graduated with Bachelor of Arts in Economics)
- Hou Gloria Alahakeni (Graduated with Bachelor of Science in Business Administration HRDM)
Frome LPU University – Cavite Branch (1 SI Government -sponsored graduate student)
- Lianga Samantha (Bachelor of Arts in Foreign Service ABFS)
By Alfred Sasako
