THE Papua New Guinea Department of Higher Education, Science, Research and Technology (Dherst) is into the implementation stage of an online unified accredited university education system that will give students and others access to acquire internationally recognised qualifications, an official says. Higher Education Minister Don Polye made the announcement to Divine Word University (DWU) council members, staff, parents, stakeholders and nearly 1,000 graduating students at Madang campus where he was guest speaker at the institution’s 41st graduation ceremony on Friday. Polye said Dherst had implemented the integrated online system for all universities in Papua New Guinea delivering centeralised and internationally accredited courses at the approval and endorsement of the department. He said the Council of Vice-Chancellors had recommended to the department the milestone initiative that would enable graduates from universities to have internationally recognised qualifications. Polye said all PNG universities and their affiliates were working together to meet the international standards and adopt best practices.
“PNG universities are also gearing towards mitigating global challenges and find solutions to issues such as the climate change and problems facing the world,” he said. Polye accepted DWU president Prof Phil Gibbs challenge to expand the online education system which Dherst was into its early implementation stage. He said the online concept was opening up access for public servants and other working professionals to enrol to do university courses and graduate with internationally accepted qualifications. “The initiative is not only for students, it is open to anyone so long as you meet the required grades to enroll and study,” he said. Polye said it is all about integral human development (IHD) which was the first pillars in the Government’s Vision 2050 policy. He added that it was pleasing to see DWU had the Pasin Diwai policy that drove and promoted good values of humanity which complemented the Government’s vision and goals. He also challenged the graduating students to be trustworthy, honest, accountable, and transparent and be reliable and maintain the good attitudes they had adopted through the Pasin Diwai whilst studying at the university. DWU council chairman Archbishop Douglas Young thanked Polye and Madang Governor Ramsey Pariwa for attending the graduation and also acknowledged the presence of former president Prof Cecelia Nembou, who is the head of social work and studies at the university. Archbishop Young also acknowledged the positive relationships with the vice-chancellors of the other universities. He commended them and Polye for moving forward into the digitalisation in e-learning via online programmes for teaching and learning. DWU president Prof Fr Philip Gibbs said the graduates would make wise and informed decisions to make difference and thoughtfully as they learnt while practicing the university’s values and vision. He also acknowledged that many who graduated were through flexible learning which demonstrated the scope and potential of such programmes with the on-line access now boosting that pathway to attaining education qualifications. “You are moving on and whatever you do, never stop learning, exploring and challenge yourself to be the best to realise the full purpose of your life,” he said. Speaking on behalf graduating students, Aglua Robert thanked the DWU Council management, staff and everyone that contributed towards their success. He challenged his fellow graduates to always put God first in their lives and let the university’s values and principles shape and influence their lives. The graduates were from the faculties of social sciences, business and informatics, education and medicine and health sciences. Also read : Comments are closed.
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