Prime Minister opens student admin building named after him
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Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare cutting the ribbon of the Grand Chief Sir Michael Thomas Somare Student Administration Building at Divine Word University in Madang on Wednesday afternoon, 16th September, 2009. The opening of the building that houses student services department and the Student Representative Council coincided with the 34th Independence Anniversary celebration in Madang town which the Prime Minister was the guest of honour earlier in the day. |
DWU student representative council members posing for the camera in the boardroom of the new student centre with the Prime Minister Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare, Madang Governor, Sir Arnold Amet and Fisheries Minister, Ben Semri. |
Madang youths adding colour to the occasion with a ‘make-shift’ brass and performance with ‘instruments’ made of empty drums, sheet metal, and used tyre tubes.
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Divine Word University marked the 34th Independence Anniversary on Wednesday with the Prime Minister Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare opening a brand new student administration building named after him.
Sir Michael said he was humbled by the DWU students naming their administration building in his honour especially after many buildings have been named after him in PNG and overseas in his 40-plus years in office as an elected leader.
The Prime Minister said he did not expect another building or public infrastructure named after him and was pleased to be given the honour by the DWU students in the twilight of his lengthy political career.
Sir Michael said he has a very high regard for DWU and took the students’ suggestion to name the administration building after him with pride.
“I accept the privilege.
“Not many universities have a special place for the SRC (student representative council).
“This university has set another milestone in our province, our region and PNG,” said Sir Michael.
He said the “Grand Chief Sir Michael Thomas Somare Student Administration Building” is yet another example of development in infrastructure and academic programs taking place at the DWU in its short history as a university.
The posh administration complex houses the offices of the SRC president, SRC members, the director of the student services department and his/her deans, a conference/board room kitted with video conferencing and electronic overhead projection equipment and a reception desk.
Governor of Madang, Sir Arnold Amet who gave the keynote address said DWU was doing the right thing to promote leadership at the student level by having a specific building assigned for them.
Recalling back in his student leadership days at the university in 1975 as SRC president of the University of PNG and vice president their year before, Sir Arnold universities rarely have specific buildings set aside for students.
Sir Arnold said universities are places where intellectual activism and leadership should flourish and help the course for the nation.
He said “vigorous healthy debate” based on research among students and academia should be active in universities.
President of DWU, Fr Jan Czuba said the building was a fitting tribute to a man who has achieved much as the longest every political career by any elected leader in the Commonwealth.
“This building is named after the founding Father of this great Nation the Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare as this building represents the Prime Minister’s Vision for our country,” Fr Czuba said.
Fr Czuba said Sir Michael’s vision is depicted by:
- The logo of the students’ representative council which demonstrates unity as all the hands are joined towards a unified vision;
- the newest ICT technology with wireless connection installed in the building. It was the vision of the Grand Chief to offer the people of Papua New Guinea the quality of education by using ICT technology. He is the one who launched the Papua New Guinea Academic Research Network (PNGARNet) a few years ago at this university which allows researchers, academics and students to share knowledge and have the access to newest knowledge;
- the board room which strengthens the Grand Chief’s policy for us in Papua New Guinea to sit together, try to understand issues and develop solutions in the peaceful manner, through discussions and debates;
- the offices for students representative council (SRC) and Director of Student Services as well as Deans. Again it stresses the Prime Minister’s Vision for us to be one people, one nation, one community; and
- the shape of the roof which is similar to the parliament house in Port Moresby which means that the future leaders should be well prepared in our institutions of education to take the responsibility for our country.
DWU Council Member, Sir Peter Barter said it was the “most fitting name” given to the building that “we will remember for many, many years to come”.
Sir Peter said ‘student will respect this gift” and he called on them to put it to optimum use as future leaders of the country.
Incoming SRC president, Dennis Kitchnoge said the students were very privileged to name the building after founding father of the nation. He said the students were proud to have the prime minister before them and to open their administration building.
Mr Kitchnoge said the building was another milestone development in DWU’s short history. He applauded everyone including the university staff headed by Fr Jan and technical staff (including builders, electricians and ICT professionals) for putting up a magnificent building for them. The opening building was also witnessed by Honourable Ben Semri, Minister for Fisheries and Member for Middle Ramu electorate in Madang, Archbishop William Kurtz of Madang Archdiocese, students, staff and members of the public. Ends/
