Papua New Guinea University of Technology (Unitech)

The SRS highlighted issues raised by the civil engineering students, which included the lack of engineering drawing and design curriculum, irrelevant drawing software and lecturers not teaching within their areas of expertise.

This has resulted in a sit-in protest by students from the civil engineering department, who refused to attend classes in the past three weeks.

Among the graduates were 51 postgraduates and 721 undergraduates, all of whom were honoured for their dedication and hard work. The ceremony was graced by the presence of Prime Minister James Marape, who joined the graduates, their families, and the University Council in commemorating the occasion.

The lecturer demonstrated how a smart electricity grid works.

As the students gathered around the device, the lecturer explained how the grid could simultaneously utilize wind, hydro and solar power to produce clean energy. When one energy  is turned off, the others would continue to produce power and ensure continued electricity supply. The lecturer asserted that such grids were key to expanding electricity access in Papua New Guinea, where only 20% of the population currently enjoys regular access to electricity.

They will have the opportunity to participate in an immersive 11-week industrial training program starting from November 16, 2023

The program is designed to provide hands-on experience to complement their classroom-based learning and bridge the gap between theory and practice.

During the program, the trainees will work in different departments aligned with their academic disciplines, including Processing Mechanical Maintenance, Engineering & Roads, Power Services, Process Technical Services, Mine Production, Environment, and Geology & Exploration.

When thanking MRDC for the partnership, which will support communication and development studies students, Unitech vice-chancellor, Dr Ora Renagi, said such partnerships are embraced as they prepare students for the outside world.

“We are happy to be providing the training through the department and we are also happy that MRDC, as a company, can come and support the training of the students.

“I’m very proud to say that with this type of relationship, it impresses upon the students to perform.

The theme of the three-day event is ‘Promoting national participation for sustainable communities’, with over 830 participants registering by 10 am today.

Prime Minister James Marape said the theme is appropriate when the government is now formulating an overarching PNG national content policy for resource sectors.

He outlined that the conversation of taking back PNG is incomplete without capturing the benefits of resource projects that are harvested in our country.

Defending champions, the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) Pythons, will be defending their title this year, after winning the cup in a fiery grand final match against the University of Technology (Unitech) Spartans in Port Moresby, in 2021.

UPNG has assembled three teams; two from the main campus including defending champions, the UPNG Pythons. The Third UPNG Team is Medfac from the School of Medicine, Taurama campus.

Minister for Higher Education, Research, Science, Technology and Sport, Don Polye, encouraged the graduates of the PNG University of Technology to have confidence in their abilities.

Speaking at the 55^th graduation ceremony on Wednesday, April 5^th, at the Taraka campus, Polye said: “Critics generally criticise you because, at some level, they care.

“When they stop saying anything, it is because you no longer matter to them.

“It is when no one criticises you that you should really be worried.”

From a mixed parentage of East Sepik and West New Britain, the soft-spoken young man was pleasantly surprised when his grandmother, with tears streaming down her cheeks, pushed through the crowd and pulled him towards her in a tight embrace.

“I did not expect my grandmother to show up,” Wartupua said as she held onto his arm and laughed through her tears.

“She was sick. I was taken aback when she came out of nowhere and hugged me. I didn’t think she was coming but I am happy that she did.