Unitech boasts largest post graduate program

The PNG University of Technology (Unitech) graduated its highest number of higher degree graduands during the 48th graduation ceremony in Lae yesterday (Friday).

Vice chancellor Dr Albert Schram said this year's graduation produced the largest post-graduands with 30 in total of which one graduated with a PhD.

"This makes our post graduate program the largest in the country with over 200 students enrolled of which there are 12 international students," Dr Schram said when delivering his graduation speech.

A total of 977 graduated, including graduands from Unitech's affiliated colleges.

Dr Schram said increasing the number of higher degree learners will be the way to go into the future in a bid to contribute more talented leaders and innovations into PNG and the Pacific.

"We are phasing out with diplomas," he said.

"Our post graduate numbers are however going up and that's very important because without post graduate studies, there is no research, without research there is no innovation and without innovation and educated leadership, Papua New Guinea and the Pacific will not develop," Dr Schram said.

The vice chancellor added that part of the exercise was on improving facilities and accrediting its teaching programs.

"We are the only university in Papua New Guinea to improve accreditation of all our programs to international standards."

He said as part of the accreditation was the introduction of post graduate certificate on student-centred teaching and giving lecturers international exposure.

Meanwhile, special guests at the graduation were Secretary General to the Pacific Island Forum Dame Meg Taylor and Professor Benedict Yaru of the University of Canberra.  

Picture: Masters graduand Mark Tina (masters in remote sensing and geographical information systems in oil palm plantations)

Author: 
Seniorl Anzu