May 24, 2010

Solomon Islands student at DWU, Jeffrey Mekab (right) receiving his free laptop from head of Communication Arts, Br Michael McManus last Saturday.	Director of DWU ICT Department, Chandana Silva introducing the in workings of the high capacity network server to Sir Peter Barter after the elder statement launched it last Saturday.	Some of the student could not receipt displaying their new laptops for the camera after receiving them moments earlier.

Divine Word University has been praised for “setting the benchmark” when it launched and distributed laptop computers to students last Saturday.

Guest of honour, businessman Sir Peter Barter commended DWU for investing in a laptop for each student. He said the university has a taken a very strategic step to be part of the world that is advancing with information and communication technology (ICT) as central to doing business.

Sir Peter also launched DWU’S new high capacity network server funded by AusAID and both occasions were blessed by the Archbishop of the Madang Catholic Archdiocese, Bishop William Kurtz.
President of DWU, Fr Jan Czuba said the distribution of laptops was “a historic event for our students and the university”.

Vice President academic Br Andrew Simpson said no university that he was aware of in the world has given out laptops to students as DWU was doing.

Fr Czuba said computer literacy and the internet skills of university students has often been a major query put to him during his numerous engagements with leaders of business and technocrats, including at the recent PNG-Australia Business Council Forum in Townsville.

He said the laptops were tools the university students will have to use to sharpen their computer literacy and internet use skills to meet the requirements of the workforce.

”You now have the opportunity to strife further,” Sir Peter told the students.

Third and fourth year students were first to receive the Dell-manufactured “Netbooks” while the first and second year students would follow in the second semester.

Sir Peter encouraged the DWU students to use the laptops wisely for learning as ICTs also have their downside if used improperly.

The former government minister said with so much information available on the Internet, “it is up to you to objectively use online content.”

Fr Czuba said the laptops have the latest computer programs and wireless internet connectivity and it places a DWU student on par with her counterpart in developed countries.

He said with wireless internet connectivity available at the Madang campus, the students do not necessarily have to be in the library to study.

Sir Peter praised the University administrators and staff for being innovative and taking the importance of the information-based economy very seriously. The students assembled at the SVD Memorial Auditorium where university staff handed out the laptops to them.