Pacific Education Ministers told of kids laptops
Oct 28, 2010
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Some of the Pacific delegates being introduced to Divine Word University’s Data Centre on Monday 11 October, 2010. |
DWU student council president, Kathleen Tokilivila (left) welcoming and escorting the Education Minister of Solomon Islands Dick Haamori (to her left) along with other ministers and education officials to the Madang campus on Monday 11 October, 2010 |
Divine Word University has urged visiting Pacific education ministers to consider investing in the one-laptop-per-child (OLPC) program to improve education of the young generation.
Dr Alfred Tivinarlik, the DWU academic who is leading the educational computer project of the University, invited the education ministers to invest in OLPC as it was ideal for the sparsely populated island communities disadvantaged by the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean.
Dr Tivinarlik introduced the OLPC concept to the ministers during their visit to the University in Madang on Monday 11 October, 2010 at the invitation of host PNG Education Minister James Marape who was represented at the campus by Deputy Education Secretary Dr Michael Tapo.
Dr Tivinarlik reiterated the position of the program founder Nicholas Negroponte that the OLPC is “not an investment in a laptop but in education”
He told the ministers that the laptop was rugged and durable and were specifically designed for children to enhance their learning.
Dr Tivinarlik’s presentation triggered many questions from the ministers and education officials who wanted to know more about the OLPC program.
The Pacific Education Ministers and officials visited DWU as part of the site visit of educational institutions chosen by Mr Marape.
Apart from Dr Tivinarlik’s presentation the ministers and officials were also introduced to the university’s academic programs and lecture facilities including the Friendship Library and the fast-growing information and communication technology (ICT) system.
DWU President Fr Jan Czuba, University Council Member Sir Peter Barter and Student Council president, Kathleen Tokilivila and her executives did the honours in hosting the dignitaries.
Fr Czuba said the DWU is a national ecumenical university that is open to all and welcomes students from the Pacific. He said the university has students from Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and East Timor. Fr Czuba told the Minister that its lecturers also travel to Pacific countries like Nauru, Fiji, Vanuatu and Solomon Islands to deliver courses as required by sponsors.
Sir Peter meanwhile said DWU has grown significantly in a short period of time through the hard work of staff members lead by Fr Czuba.
He said as a former Parliamentarian for Madang and as University council member he was pleased that the education ministers could visit DWU during their Pacific Ministers Meeting in Port Moresby
