01/03/2011

Divine Word University (DWU) is set to celebrate the graduation of its first Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and Masters of Business Administration (MBA) students during the annual graduation ceremony at the Madang campus this Sunday, 6th March, 2011.

Prime Minister Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare would officiate at the historic occasion for the young University.

An honorary doctorate will also be awarded to Prof John Croucher for his “contributions to the world of academia, quality of graduate programs at DWU and contributions to PNG”.

Sir Michael and several distinguished academics will also be recognized for their outstanding contributions to DWU.

In addition to the nine students that would graduate with MBAs another new post-graduate program, the Masters in Leadership in Business Administration (MLBA) will also have its first group of 10 students graduating.
Educationists, Bernadette Aihi from Bereina in Central Province and Paul Pasingan from New Ireland Province will receive the PhD awards in the field of education.

The MBA and MLBA candidates are from a cross section of organizations mostly in the private sector and they include some familiar names such as Mujse Werror (Ok Tedi Mining Ltd), John Solok (Bank South Pacific), Paias Borokum (DWU Bursary), Max Manimbi (famous gospel singer), Ian Leklek (PNG Ports and former PNG Pukpuks rugby star), Stotick Kamya (president of Madang Chamber of Commerce and Industry) and Senior Sergeant Gage Dumop (Madang police dog unit).

Werror, Solok and Bokorum will graduate with MBAs while Manimbi, Leklek, Kamya and Sgt Dumop will pass out with MLBAs.

Other post-graduate degrees that would be conferred include the Master of Educational Leadership (MEdL), Master of Education (Curriculum), postgraduate diploma in business management, postgraduate diploma in education, postgraduate diploma in eye care, postgraduate diploma in leadership and development,  post-graduate certificate in management and the post-graduate certificate in higher education teaching and learning.

In total, over 1400 students would have graduated from the 49 programs of DWU with Sunday’s ceremony see over 730 students graduate while the rest have passed out in separate ceremonies at the amalgamated campuses and affiliated colleges late last year.