The University of Papua New Guinea has, over the years, produced over 50 percent of the human resource of this country.
These were the remarks from UPNG pro vice-chancellor, Professor Mange Matui, during the opening of the 2nd UPNG Career Expo on Tuesday.
He said having this in mind, students need to make use of the opportunity they have been given, instead of taking it for granted.
Compared to last year’s expo, Tuesday’s event was hailed a major success.
Teams from a total of 12 government and private organisations came to speak to the students about their respective expectations and available graduate programs that each of them have. These organisations include Oil Search, High Performance PNG Sports Center, Bank South Pacific, KPMG, Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited, People’s Microbank, WR Dentist, National Development Bank, Air Niugini and PNG Ports.
As promised, PNG Job Seek was also present to collect students’ curriculum vitae (CV) and transcripts, as well as advise them on how to register and use their site in applying for a job.
The theme for this year’s expo was ‘Embracing one’s career path’.
Forum square was a scene of more than 300 students flocking the stalls to make enquiries with teams consisting of high ranking officers in the likes of directors, heads of human resource managers, operations and recruitment managers.
At last year’s expo, a PNG Ports exhibitor told Loop PNG that the expo was significant in that it helps to bridge students from the classroom scenario to the real work place environment. The exhibitor further explained that the expo does not only provide an avenue for the organisations to exhibit themselves to the students but by asking questions, the students were also indirectly exhibiting themselves to the organisations.
With both students’ and organisations’ growing interest in the event, it is anticipated that future expos will continue to provide an incredible avenue for students to access first hand information that should set them on the right path towards achieving their careers.
(Students at the expo. Pictures by Daniella Ilo – UPNG journalism student)
