The Solomon Islands College of Higher Education (SICHE) will soon introduce its diploma programs as part of its curriculum.
Speaking at the college's graduation last Friday, Director of SICHE, Dickson Ha'amori, said the college will also offer a certificate in tourism studies."This credit course is part of a new School of Tourism and Hospital, which SICHE will add to its existing programmes," he said.
Mr. Ha'amori said that this is part of government's visionary plans on the college, especially the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, to support the school in the establishment of the programme.
He said that with assistance of Waikato University in New Zealand, courses in the college have been reviewed and re-developed.
The college head said that the rest of the school's curriculum will be reviewed and re-developed with new programmes developed.
"By the end of 2010, all SICHE programs will have been reviewed and the administrative arrangement to manage the very important college wide curriculum review is now in place."
Mr. Ha'amori said that there's been growing interest from neighbouring countries in the region to assist SICHE with its development.
"By semester one next year, the college should have about 200 students enrolled to do more UPNG courses here in Solomon Islands," he said.
He added that the University of Goroka and Vudal University in Papua New Guinea have recently expressed interest to work with SICHE to further develop the college.
Mr. Ha'amori said that instead of "looking down on SICHE", Solomon Islands should concentrate on expanding and developing the college to cater for tertiary education needs of this country.