Students from the University of California with staff from University of Queensland and SINU (Far Left) Lecturer of UQ Dr Patrick Pikacha and Acting Dean/SNRAS Mr John Tatalo. (middle) Lecturer of UQ Dr Justin Kennedy and Acting Vice Chancellor (SINU) Professor Basil Shelton Marasinghe and UQ Lecturer Dr Dianna Fisher

A joint programme between the Solomon Islands National University (SINU), the University of California and the University of Queensland is seeing an influx of international students and lecturers to SINU.

17 undergraduate and postgraduate students from the University of California, USA, and three lecturers from the University of Queensland arrived yesterday under SINU’s joint programme.

The international students are here to undergo a programme on Environmental Health, which is jointly conducted by the University of California, University of Queensland and SINU.

SINU’s Vice Chancellor Prof Basil Shelton Marasinghe said, “These students, lecturers from University of Queensland and staff from School of Natural Resources and Applied Sciences of SINU will travel to Western Province to carry out a field based study.

“During one month long field work, they will examine health issues, sanitation, ecology and environmental health.”

Meanwhile, the joint work is a result of an MOU SINU has with the University of Queensland.

One of the lecturers from UQ, Dr Patrick Pikacha, said, “Some programmes of UQ may be incorporated to Environmental Science curriculum in the School of Natural Resources and Applied Sciences in SINU.”