Australian envoy praises DWU
Oct 11, 2010
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Australian High Commissioner Ian Kemish (right) with Student Representative Council President Kathleen Tokilivila, DWU President Fr Jan Czuba and Madang Governor Sir Arnold Amet at the 2nd Annual “Missioning Ceremony” of final year students on Friday 8th October, 2010. |
Director general of the Office of Higher Education, Dr William Tagis (left) meets the deputy health secretary Mark Mauludu (right) with Fr Jan Czuba looking on during the Missioning Ceremony. |
The Australian High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, Ian Kemish, has praised Divine Word University for making a significant difference and contribution in higher education in the country.
Mr Kemish said DWU has made significant progress in the 14 years it existed as a University.
The High Commissioner applauded the University in his keynote address at the second annual Missioning Ceremony of final year degree students on Friday 8th October, 2010 at the Madang campus.
The ceremony was well attended by parents of the 277 final students and other guests that included, Governor of Madang, Sir Arnold Amet, National and Supreme Court Judge, Justice Regina Sagu and Director General of the Office of Higher Education, Dr William Tagis. Justice Sagu and Dr Tagis also attended the ceremony as parents where the daughters were completing their studies in the Bachelor of PNG Studies (Arts) program.
Mr Kemish commended the leadership of foundation president of DWU, Fr Jan Czuba SVD, who had been instrumental in the transformation of a modest Divine Word Institute (DWI) after he took over the leadership in 1995 and the following the PNG Government declared it a University.
He said the hard work and commitment of the management led by Fr Czuba and staff has showing the result and urged them to continue the good work.
Mr Kemish acknowledged and commended DWU’s significant investment in information and communication technology as a step in the right direction.
Meanwhile, the high commissioner also challenged the outgoing students to help “banish corruption to the past”.
Mr Kemish who grew up in PNG said corruption is a serious threat to the progress of the country and the young generation has to ensure it is dealt with.
“Your generation has to banish corruption to the past,” said Mr Kemish.
He said the outgoing DWU students are entering the job market at a critical stage and must put to use the strong ethical education and the professional training they have received from a well-regarded Christian university.
Madang Governor, Sir Arnold Amet also urged the students to be agents of positive change. Sir Arnold said their personal credibility and behavior can make a big difference in the work place and community.
Mr Kemish said corruption has the potential to undermine the economic gains from the resources boom PNG is experiencing.
He said Australia’s unwavering commitment towards PNG’s development and growth stands and will continue.
Mr Kemish said the Australian support is delivered in various key areas and “education is the flagship” of that assistance.
He said the recent review of the high education sector led by Professor Ross Garnaut and Sir Rabbie Namaliu is important and one of the key recommendations is for PNG universities to develop linkages with their overseas counterparts.
Mr Kemish said the much-talked about PNG Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Project and other resource projects places PNG on the path towards an unprecedented economic growth.
He, however, cautioned that there were serious challenges of how these gains would be managed and allowed to be “translated to prosperity for all”.
The High Commissioner commended DWU for making a major difference in higher education during its 14 years of existence as a University and urged the staff and students to continue the good work.
Mr Kemish praised the foundation president of DWU, Fr Jan Czuba for his firm and decisive leadership that transformed a modest church-run Divine Word Institute into a vibrant national university.
The Missioning Ceremony inaugurated last year is an occasion where the University thanks the outgoing students and parents and benefactors and commissions to the students to face the world.
Fr Czuba, it is a ceremony based on the traditional PNG custom of “initiation of the youth into adulthood”.
The ceremony was well attended by parents and guardians of the 277 students who travelled in from all over the country and the University provided lodging and accommodation. As a result all hotels and guest houses in Madang town were booked out last week.
