BY JOHN HOUNIHAU
“SOLOMON Islands National University gave me a place to start my journey in journalism,” said Lalita Atangaoi Hong, who graduated with a certificate in Journalism and Media in 2021, at the University’s Open Day event on 11 November 2022 at the FOPA village.
Ethnically from Rennell and Bellona Province and Simbo in the Western Province, Lalita now works with the National Hosting Authority (NHA), a body established by the Solomon Islands Government to deliver the 2023 Pacific Games.
As former journalism and media student at the country’s first national university, Lalita said she had a great learning experience and felt confident in the lectures and practical learning that she undertook as a student studying journalism and media.
She noted that whilst the school of journalism and media had minimal resources her lecturers were able to maximize her learning experience to ensure that she is prepared for the real world.
“It is not easy when we don’t have enough resources to help us. But as students, we learned not to give up but we deal with it,’’ she said. “I will forever be grateful to my lecturers and SINU for giving me such a learning platform,” said Lalita when reflecting on her academic journey and achievement.
“I feel somewhat like an advocator for SINU’s journalism and media program, especially to voice the opportunities, experiences, knowledge bases, and challenges beyond the journalism and media courses.
“I am proud to have been a SINU journalism student and I want to highlight what the school of journalism and media has offered in the country that prospective student can be part of,’’ she said.
Reflecting on the importance of reporting factual information, Lalita said: “correct information will help the public to shape their perception on key issues and events on any given day.
“As you can see, media and journalism have an important role to play when it comes to informing the public,’’ she said.
