A young civil and structural engineer is now utilising his knowledge and skills acquired under an
Australian Awards Scholarship (AAS) to ensure his local community have the same infrastructure
development to those in capital Honiara of Solomon Islands.
Jim Tawa Biliki received his Master of Engineering (Civil and Structural) testamur in early October
while on site working on the Gizo Youth Centre project in Western Province.
He completed his studies at The University of Adelaide (UoA) in July 2024 under AAS.
His current employer JOGOS Construction, an engineering and construction services in the Western
Solomons announced in early October that it was thrilled Jim had received his testamur – “marking a
significant achievement in his professional journey.”
“Jim’s active involvement in our current Gizo Youth Centre project exemplifies the importance of
having a workforce with strong qualifications in the civil and construction sector available within our
provinces. As we continue our work towards completing the Youth Centre in Gizo, we acknowledge
Australia’s ongoing commitment to the development of our youths through the prestigious Australia
Awards.”
JOGOS Construction posted on its Facebook page on 7 th October.
Despite graduating in absentia due to project commitment Jim is committed to his desire to bridge the
gap between infrastructure development of rural towns like Gizo and those in capital Honiara.
“My vision is to ensure that residents have access to the same infrastructure development
opportunities often enjoyed in urban areas. By emphasizing local talent and resources, I aim to bridge
the gap between urban and rural infrastructure services.”
Jim had encountered numerous challenges and opportunities throughout his education and career
journey which fuelled his passion for structural engineering.
“As I continue this path, I remain dedicated to expanding my knowledge and skills in civil
engineering, with the hope of contributing meaningfully to the development of my community and
beyond.”
While working on the Gizo Youth Centre project, Jim also engages in small engineering projects
through his business, Mendalin Civil/Structural Engineering.
“This venture allows me to apply the skills I’ve gained in Australia and provides opportunities that are
often unavailable in the Solomon Islands. By focusing on local projects, I can contribute to
infrastructure development in my community while utilizing the knowledge and experience I’ve
acquired during my studies.”
Jim did part-time project management consulting services for construction firms in Solomon Islands
whilst completing his masters in Adelaide. He was also a Project Engineer for the 2023 Pacific Games
National Hosting Authority (NHA) from 2021 to June 2022.
Why Adelaide?
Selecting his preferred masters’ program, university and city to study when applying for the
prestigious Australian Awards Scholarship was an easy but an important choice he made.
“I chose to study at The University of Adelaide mainly because of its excellent teaching team,
including world-class educators like Professor Scott Smith and Associate Professor Abdul Sheikh,
whose work in finite element analysis I greatly admire. The opportunity to learn from such respected
faculty was a significant factor in my decision.
“The study environment in Adelaide is also very appealing. The city has a relaxed pace that makes it
easier for students to focus on their studies. My experience studying there has been fantastic; the city
is very student-friendly, and the teachers are approachable and supportive, creating a positive learning
atmosphere. Overall, the combination of a strong academic program and a welcoming environment
made my choice to study at UoA an excellent one. “
With a growing population of 1.3 million, Adelaide City, the capita of South Australia was named the
world’s most beautiful city in July 2024 by the renowned architectural and century-old American
journal Architectural Digest.
Adelaide city is also ranked third most liveable city in the world and Number 1 in Australia, when
measured across stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education and infrastructure. This is
according to the Economist Intelligence Unit Global Liveability Index 2021.
The University of Adelaide where Jim completed his master’s is a member of The Group of Eight
(Go8) which comprises Australia’s leading research-intensive universities. These are the University of
Melbourne, the Australian National University, the University of Sydney, the University of
Queensland, the University of Western Australia, the University of Adelaide, Monash University andUNSW Sydney.
It is ranked 7th of the top 10 best universities in Australia and 128th in the World University Rankings
2025 by the Times Higher Education Impact.
Back to where he started
Before this embarking on his Master of Engineering (Civil and Structural) in June 2022 at one of the
top universities in Australia, Jim had attained a Bachelor of Civil Engineering (Honours) from Fiji
National University (FNU).
He started his high school educational path at Gizo Secondary School, followed by Kukudu Adventist
College and King George Sixth Secondary School. After completing secondary education, he did his
Form 7 studies at the Betikama Adventist College.
He then gained admission to Papua New Guinea’s University of Technology for engineering
foundation studies in 2016. However, due to widespread student protests and a boycott, many students
including Jim, returned to the Solomon Islands. This pivotal moment led him to transfer to Fiji
National University, where he successfully completed his undergraduate degree in 2020.
Jim has roots in Western, Choiseul and Makira provinces and had spent much of his life in Gizo.
“My experiences during my bachelor’s degree inspired me to create opportunities for myself and
others. During my studies, I faced challenges finding internship opportunities during the holidays,
especially coming from the provinces. This motivated me to think creatively about my future,” he
said.
He thanked the Australian Government through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT),
Australian Awards SI Team and Australian High Commission in Honiara for the opportunity to study
in Adelaide and gained knowledge and skills in engineering.
Jim’s employer JOGOS Construction also extended its gratitude to DFAT through the Australian High
Commission, Solomon Islands, and the Australia Awards Solomon Islands team for their unwavering
trust and support throughout Jim’s time in South Australia.
“Having qualified engineers has helped us evolved into a Design and Build company, offering
comprehensive design, construction, and engineering services. In addition to our construction
services, we offer geotechnical assessment services, utilizing DCP and SPT tests, as well as providing
structural design for various infrastructures.
“At JOGOS Construction, we are all about legacy—creating lasting impacts that benefit our
communities for generations to come. Our vision extends beyond building infrastructure; we aim to
provide opportunities for our community’s youth, empowering them to play their part in the
development of our province, and our nation.”
The Solomon Islands Wantok Association of South Australia (SIWASA) also congratulated Jim when
farewelling him in July upon competition of his studies in Adelaide.
Meanwhile there are currently three Solomon Islands students – all female, on Australian Awards
Scholarships studying in Adelaide – two at Flinders University and one at The University of Adelaide.
