PNG University of Technology (Unitech)

“It must translate and be transferred to higher standards of living for my people in Papua New Guinea,” said vice-chancellor, Professor Ora Renagi, during the graduation of 142 rice farmers at Erap, in Morobe Province on Friday, April 19^th.

The University hierarchy in a statement stated that the graduation was prolonged due to the late arrival of Prime Minister James Marape. But clarified that the graduating students did not walk off during Marape’s speech, non-did the PM speak to empty seats. Rather, PM Marape delivered his speech before the graduands received their degrees, witnessed by a fully engaged audience

Speaking on Friday, Dr Sali highlighted the pivotal role of developing a strong knowledge base, proactive initiative, and positive attitudes towards learning and collaboration in achieving success both academically and in future leadership roles.

Dr. Sali underscored the need for students to embody good values throughout their academic journey, emphasizing their responsibility to shape ethical professionals and dedicated citizens committed to serving their communities.

Registrar, Veronica Thomas, outlined this following the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with a person with disability (PWD) early this month. 

30-year-old Gemmy Pyaki, from Enga Province, will return to Unitech next year to study for a Bachelor in Computer Science.

Registrar Thomas said while Pyaki is away, the university will utilise that time to modify an existing room as a short-term solution and seek funds to construct accommodations for persons with disabilities.

Unitech’s Student Representative Senate (SRS) shut down the school mess on Monday, April 10th, in frustration over the “lack of transparency between the student body and school’s administration regarding the continuous underlying issues concerning the mess”.

While the mess was opened the next day, the SRS outlined that the K17.5 million mess construction project, awarded to the Regional Engineering and Construction (REC) Ltd in 2021, was scheduled to be completed by September 2022. However, “construction has stopped altogether due to the company’s in-house issues”.

The University of Technology and University of PNG’s School of Medicine and Health Sciences collaborated in partnership with the Papua New Guinea-Australia Partnership’s Incentive Fund to develop new Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) policies which will embed equity, access and inclusion in all structures, policies and practices to support the welfare of staff and students.

Following a partnership between Trukai Industries and Unitech, the ceremony will commence the construction of rice farming facilities for participants of Trukai’s smart farmer program.

“This was a barren bit of ground, this time last year,” said Trukai Industries’ CEO, Alan Preston.

“With Unitech’s guidance and assistance, we’ve put together a business relationship to educate and train farmers from all over the country on how to grow rice for the village, how to grow rice for cash crop.

Earhart is being celebrated for her contributions to female aviators, women in technology, and aeronautical sciences, the Artists from Papua New Guinea are invited to submit a proposal for a project that shares a personal depiction with Amelia Earhart’s vision as a pioneer aviator.

The Chancellor, Dame Jean Kekedo, reminded over 600 graduands of the tears and sacrifices their mothers make to see them succeed in life.

Unitech hosted its 53^rd graduation ceremony after it was postponed in 2021 because of COVID-19.

Over 600 2020 cohorts were finally able to graduate this year under the theme: To grow world-class technocrats for the real world.

In her speech, Chancellor Dame Jean congratulated the parents whose loved ones were about to receive their doctorates, masters, degrees and diplomas.