SUCN hosts Solomon Islands delegation for nursing education and health workforce partnership
The Silliman University College of Nursing (SUCN) welcomed a delegation from the Solomon Islands and the World Health Organization (WHO) on August 24, 2026, for a two-day field visit to explore potential collaboration in nursing education and health workforce development.
Held at the Conference Room of William Barry Thompson Hall, the meeting explored possible areas of partnership between Silliman University (SU) and institutions in Solomon Islands, particularly in nursing education, training, capacity-building, governance, and patient safety.
The delegation included Vasco Carvalho, Health Information Systems Officer of WHO Solomon Islands; Dr. Howard Sobel, WHO Representative to Solomon Islands; Dr. Humpress Harrington, Dean of the Faculty of Nursing, Medicine and Health Sciences of Solomon Islands National University (SINU); and Francis Cube, Health Programme Officer (SSA) of WHO Philippines.
Representing Silliman University were Dr. Lily Ann D. Bautista, SU vice president for Academic Affairs and Research (VPAAR); SUCN Dean Dr. Theorose June Q. Bustillo; Dr. Mae Brigitt Bernadel L. Villordon, Officer-in-Charge Director of the SU Internationalization Office; and members of the SUCN faculty.
Representatives from the three institutions gather at the Conference Room of William Barry Thompson Hall.
The visit formed part of discussions toward a potential tripartite partnership involving Silliman University, SINU, and WHO, under the broader framework of the Philippine-Pacific Health Initiative (PhilPac).
PhilPac is a regional cooperation platform that supports Pacific Island Countries and Areas (PICs) in addressing shared health workforce and human resources for health (HRH) challenges.
Initiated through collaboration among the Philippine Department of Health, Department of Foreign Affairs, WHO Western Pacific Regional Office, and Pacific health ministries, the initiative promotes capacity-building, institutional partnerships, technical cooperation, and knowledge exchange.
(L-R) Vasco Carvalho, Health Information Systems Officer of WHO Solomon Islands; Dr. Howard Sobel, WHO Representative to Solomon Islands; Dr. Humpress Harrington, Dean of the Faculty of Nursing, Medicine and Health Sciences of Solomon Islands National University (SINU); and Francis Cube, Health Programme Officer (SSA) of WHO Philippines, explore possible partnerships with SU.
Through PhilPac, the Philippines is strengthening its engagement with Pacific Island Countries by facilitating health workforce development, institutional partnerships, technical cooperation, and peer-to-peer learning.
The initiative provides opportunities for Pacific countries to access Philippine expertise and institutions through specialized and tertiary healthcare services, clinical fellowships, professional training, and institutional exchange programs, with engagements designed to respond to country-specific HR needs while fostering long-term, mutually beneficial partnerships.
Within this framework, the proposed partnership would primarily be between the two universities, with their respective affiliated hospitals also potentially involved.
WHO would serve a facilitating and technical role, helping connect the institutions, support the development of the partnership, and provide technical guidance to strengthen its sustainability.
SUCN Dean Dr. Theorose June Q. Bustillo introduces the SU team.
PhilPac activities are supported through the Philippines’ voluntary contribution to WHO for 2025-2028.
Discussions with SUCN, WHO, and SUNI highlighted possible areas for student and faculty capacity-building. These include academic supervision arrangements, access to research resources and libraries, faculty development, and other forms of academic collaboration.
Existing models of university partnerships involving joint supervision, program delivery, academic standards, and institutional affiliation were also discussed as possible references.
Delegates watch SU’s series of institutional video presentations.
The delegation emphasized the need to further identify specific areas of collaboration based on the needs and capacities of the participating institutions.
Among the broader priorities identified were strengthening health workforce development, clinical governance, and patient safety.
