On behalf of the University Council, staff and students, I would like to express my deep appreciation to all our partners who have supported us during our fourteen years of development to ensure that the University can achieve its objectives and commitment to human resource capacity building in Papua New Guinea.  We are grateful for your assistance to make Divine Word University a modern university that serves our society through quality of research, teaching, learning and community service.

During these 14 years, DWU successfully implemented its strategy to be a progressive university. We went through the different stages of development in order to provide the best services to our students.  We make continuous improvements in our physical facilities and learning environment, such as the application of information and communication technology to our research, teaching and learning activities.  Staff and students are provided with their own email accounts and access to the internet.  We have enhanced our library collection to include e-journals and research databases so our staff and students are updated of the latest discoveries and innovations.  We have provided our students with their own laptop computer for their independent personal and professional development.  We establish the Staff Development Program to enhance the quality of teaching of our staff and strengthen our academic programs. We have become a ‘paperless university’which commits DWU community to protect the environment.  We have established our intranet site and put up electronic boards to facilitate communication among the community without the use of paper.  Indeed we have come a long way in our efforts to provide quality education as enjoyed by students at overseas universities.

This year, on the occasion of our celebration of 14 years of the founding of the university, DWU is taking another challenge to become a Green University.  We formally begin this mission by launching the street lights powered by solar energy at the Madang Campus.   We are able to introduce small cars powered by batteries to be used around the campus.  A project managed by Fr. Philip Smith, newly renovated student dormitories for the students of Faculty of Flexible Learning are powered by the use of solar energy.
We will commit another three years to ensure that the new policy launched during this celebration will be achieved by 2013, DWU will be known as a Green University for its clean environment, utilization of clean energy such as wind and solar power, proper use of water resources and use of alternative fuels. DWU will focus its activities on environmental issues, sustainable living and alternative construction of its physical infrastructures to make all the campuses of the university a better place to do research, teaching and studies.  We will modify all our offices and lecture rooms into green facilities by applying new technology to take advantage of solar power and reduce the use of electricity.  Landscaping of all DWU campuses will be improved to depict the beauty and diversity of PNG’s flowers, plants and trees.

At present we are beginning to review our curricula and make improvements to encourage our students to have hands-on education as a positive foundation in DWU ICT development. Such hands-on experience will assist our students to integrate their conceptual knowledge better while acquiring an ethical responsibility for the environment.

DWU will work closely with its alumni by sharing our experiences and encouraging them to introduce sustainable business practices that focus on the protection of the environment in their workplace.

Our partners in development have been and will always be part of our growth. Thus, DWU will enhance its collaboration with current partners and will establish collaboration with green business partners, volunteers and funding agencies who share the mission to protect the environment.  Your support and assistance in achieving our mission is and  will be greatly appreciated by us and the future generations.

On this occasion of our 14th DWU Foundation Day, I thank you all for your assistance and support.

Yours faithfully
Fr. Jan Czuba

President