New Ireland hosts first UOG graduation
The University of Goroka [UOG] has made history by holding its first graduation ceremony in New Ireland Province, giving more people in Papua New Guinea access to higher education.
Speaking during the ceremony in Kavieng on Friday, Vice Chancellor Dr Teng Waninga [PhD] described the event as a historic moment not only for the University but also for the people of New Ireland.
"Today, we have reached a historic moment as we graduate our students. Every great beginning starts small, but it will grow bigger and better," Dr Waninga said.
The graduation was held under the University's New Guinea Islands -Kavieng Campus through its Institute of Distance and Flexible Learning [IDFL], allowing teachers and other students to earn university qualifications without leaving the province.
Dr Waninga said the University's mission is to make higher education more accessible by taking quality education to the people rather than expecting students to travel long distances.
"Our motto is 'Bringing the Gown to Town.' Our students no longer have to travel all the way to Goroka or Port Moresby. We are bringing higher education to their doorstep," he said.
The Vice Chancellor said the University currently has more than 7,000 students on its main campus and another 3,000 to 4,000 enrolled through its network of 19 Distance and Flexible Learning Centres across Papua New Guinea.
He thanked the New Ireland Provincial Government and Members of Parliament for supporting the establishment and growth of the Kavieng campus, assuring them that all contributions made towards the campus would remain in the province to improve teaching and learning.
"We are not a profit-making university. We are a service provider to the people of Papua New Guinea, and every contribution made towards this campus will remain here for the benefit of our students," he said.
Dr Waninga also announced that the University will next month officially open its new K130 million six-storey Central Administration Building and Student Forum in Goroka, acknowledging the continued support of the Marape-Rosso Government for higher education infrastructure.
Guest of Honour and Namatanai MP Walter David Schnaubelt congratulated the graduates and challenged them to use their knowledge to help develop New Ireland and Papua New Guinea.
"New Ireland and Papua New Guinea need you. We need every one of you," Mr Schnaubelt said.
Drawing inspiration from Germany's education system, he noted that teachers are highly valued because they shape every other profession.
"In Germany, teachers are paid more than engineers because the question is, 'Who taught the engineers?' The future rests in the hands of teachers," he said.
Mr Schnaubelt encouraged the graduates to embrace challenges, saying knowledge, experience and wisdom become truly meaningful only when earned through perseverance.
He also pledged his continued support for the University of Goroka's campus in New Ireland, saying he would continue backing its development for as long as he serves as the Member for Namatanai.
The ceremony saw graduates receive their qualifications before family members, community leaders and invited guests, many witnessing a university graduation in New Ireland for the first time, fulfilling the University's vision of bringing quality higher education closer to the people.