Divine Word University (DWU)

"This is the first laptop I have ever owned," said Vavar Luaina, a first-year Social and Religious Studies student.

Three-hundred and ninety-two (392) laptops were given to first-year students attending DWU Madang campus at the Sir Peter Barter Auditorium recently.

Luaina said, "The first thing for me to do now is learn how to use it. I know this will help me greatly in my studies and, most importantly, my research work.”

Prime Minister James Marape said this in Wewak on Thursday, April 14 2022 when opening K25 million worth of infrastructure at Divine Word University’s St Benedict’s Campus. 

The infrastructure development includes housing for lecturers, two double classrooms, an incubation laboratory, library extension, accommodation for students, two units for visitors, and dining hall extension.

“As a Government, we are cognisant of the need to build more infrastructure for schools,” PM Marape said.

The 40^th graduation ceremony had people from all works of lives who were part of the undergraduate program and the full time programs.

Among those who graduated was Correctional Service Commissioner, Steven Pokanis who graduated with Masters in Public Administration and Assistant Commissioner of Police for NCD and Central, Anthony Wagambie Jr (Bachelor in Management)

Police officer, Constable Xavier Bowi, a fulltime student also graduated with a Bachelor in Business Management.

Similar to the 2021 and 2020 graduation, the university will livestream the entire graduation ceremony on its official DWU Facebook page and a live broadcast through NBC Radio Madang and NBC National Radio.

This will provide the opportunity for family members to be part of the event and to comply with COVID-19 measures.

The event will be restricted and allow for two guest for each graduate. To maintain overcrowding, each guests will be restricted to attend the ceremony at the graduation hall, but will be sent to two of the university’s auditorium to watch the live feed.

Pioneer president of the DWU, Fr. Jan Czuba told the Association members at the launching of the new DWU Alumni Association website on Sunday 13^th February at the DWU Port Moresby campus, that they have to take ownership of their Alma Mater and lead with vision and mission.

Speaking as the guest speaker at the launch, Fr. Jan noted on the reflection of the journey of the DWU Alumni in relation to its Alma Mater.

The cash of K12,808 was handed over to the Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Joseph Apa on Wednesday 24^th of November in Goroka.

The students were able to raise the amount through wheelbarrow push in the respective towns where the universities are located.  

Their intention is to assist the EHPHA to upgrade the Goroka Base Hospital with the development of an oxygen plant for COVID-19 patients and other patients who require medical oxygen for treatment.

Independence celebrations in the DWU Wewak campus began with a church service led by Bishop of the Wewak Diocese, Bishop Jozef Roszynski, who blessed the day and reminded everyone to appreciate our natural environment, and to also remember how Independence was sought by the founding father, the late Grand Chief Sir Michael Thomas Somare.

Late Sir Michael was honored in the mass with a moment of silence, as well as before the Cultural Show in the Eastern Square arena, followed by the National Anthem and the National Pledge.

The program started in June this year and is one of 10 programs under Newcrest Lihir’s ‘School to Mine’ program, aimed at enhancing the education sector in Lihir. Through this program, teachers in Lihir can upgrade their qualifications from a diploma to a bachelor in primary education. DWU is delivering the bachelor program at Lihir’s School to Mine Campus with the support of STM staff.

A very humbled Numoi described his success as an achievement that was not his alone but for everyone who stood by him and believed in him every step of the way; especially his family, colleagues and friends.

With a GPA of 3.54 out of 4.0, this was an accumulation of consistent high performance academically from the years 2016-2019 from his undergraduate studies in the Madang institution.

When asked on his secret, he said hard work, determination and knowing that you are not doing this for yourself ensured his high achievement. 

During the trip, the High Commissioner handed over new teaching mannequins to the Divine Word University (DWU) campus in Madang, funded under the Papua New Guinea-Australia Partnership’s Kina for Kina project in collaboration with the Divine Word University.

The new mannequins include adult, children and infant mannequins and will help students to learn Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), expanding their basic first aid training that is important in ensuring survival of patients in emergencies.