PRIME Minister Hon Manasseh Sogavare has challenged new graduates of the Solomon Islands National University (SNU) to proactively participate in the social and economic development of the country.
Prime Minister Sogavare was speaking at the second graduation of the Solomon Islands National University yesterday.
The theme of the graduation ceremony was ‘Empowered and Make A Difference.’
“As a graduate of the Solomon Islands National University today, how can you proactively participate in the social and economic development of our country?
“How can you demonstrate the skills, knowledge and values and attitudes you gained from attending the Solomon Islands National University in the world outside of studying?
“If you are graduating today with a diploma in agriculture and get employed as an agriculture extension officer, how will you implement your provincial government’s plan on agriculture? Better still what will you do differently from previous agriculture extension officers to make the biggest impact on the people in the rural areas as an advisor?
“These and many more would be ideal questions that you as graduates of the Solomon Islands National University should be asking yourselves, whether you are a teacher, nurse, accountant, forester, mechanic, plumber, electrician, builder or a fisheries officer,” the Prime Minister said.
He also used the occasion to emphasise the importance of education and collective partnership to make Solomon Islands education system responsive to its development priorities.
He said education should be perceived by all leaders as an essential tool for change and progress and it is when they all come to this realisation that they will become more conscious of their collective responsibility to drive educational development to new heights.
The Prime Minister said communities, donor partners, non-governmental organisations, churches and private interest groups are all equally important stakeholders of the government in its bid to further develop education.
“The government recognises that it must be prepared to provide necessary political leadership under this stakeholder partnership to continue reforming or if necessary overhaul the education system to be responsive to the country’s development priorities and unique situation.”