BY INDY MAEALASI

GOVERNMENT-sponsored students studying at Emalus Campus, Vanuatu held a productive meeting last week with the Solomon Islands Tertiary Education and Skills Authority (SITESA) to discuss pressing student-related matters.

President of the Student Association, Rockson Urabana said the discussions focused on several key issues, including the timeliness of student allowances, delays in scholarship, the need for clearer communication between the association and SITESA, as well as challenges related to student accommodation and visa requirements.

Urabana thanked SITESA’s Scholarship Division’s Director, John Iromea, for personally meeting with the students and providing assurance that their concerns, particularly overdue allowances would be addressed.

“The director reminded us that we are seen, heard and not forgotten. His message gave us hope especially the assurance that allowance will be released this week,” Urabana said.

“We truly appreciate the effort to come and speak to us directly.”

Urabana also noted that Director Iromea encouraged self-sponsored students to apply for the Solomon Islands Government scholarship in future rounds.

Currently, Emalus Campus hosts eight self-sponsored and nine government-sponsored students from the Solomon Islands.

Urabana also extended his thanks to the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development for facilitating the director’s visit.

“On behalf of SILSA students, I want to sincerely thank the Ministry of Education and the Permanent Secretary for sending the director to visit us. It hasn’t been easy as we are feeling the weight of delays and uncertainty around our allowance” he added.