Reports from Suva reveal that local students studying at the various training institutions in Fiji together with their families, Solomon Islands nationals working in Fiji and their families, descendants of Solomon Islanders living in Fiji and friends of the country gathered at USP Laucala campus Tuesday to mark the country's 30th independence anniversary.

The celebrations ended with a Thanksgiving service last Sunday to close off several days of activities including sporting competitions, panel discussion as well as religious programmes.

Organised by the Solomon Islands Students Association (SISA), a flag raising ceremony started off the celebrations followed by feasting and then custom dancing with all the provinces represented that went through the night until after 10pm.

Guest speaker was the Deputy Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, Peter Forau who comes from Tikopia, Temotu Province.