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Divine Word
University's Pacific outreach
By KEVIN PAMBA
Divine Word University is
reaching out to the Pacific with its educational services.
The university's Faculty of Flexible Learning (FFL) is in the
forefront of the Pacific outreach program.
Solomon Islands and Nauru are the latest Pacific countries to
receive DWU's educational services.
Two lecturers, Dr Julienne Kama and Dr Mark Solon flew out to
Nauru last week to conduct education training for teachers and
education managers for three weeks under NZAID funding.
Another lecturer, Joseph Lingawa is in Solomon Islands conducting
a similar program.
The FFL has been conducting a work-placing training program in
Fiji since, 2004. This program will now be moved from Fiji to
Cairns in Australia from July 9 - 20.
The Faculties head of training and development, Benjamin Kaukia
and Mr Lingawa will be in Cairns to conduct this program.
Vanuatu has expressed interest in DWU's teacher training and
educational programs and this is expected to be realized soon.
"It was through the workplace training program that opened up
avenues for other FFL courses in the Pacific," said Mr Kaukia.
"This is the fourth year since we started offering this particular
program through the arrangement of Pacific Regional Policing
Initiative, an AusAID funded project.
"With the commitment and dedication of FFL staff and support from
the PRPI Training Capacity project advisor, this year the 1st
diploma group graduated with their diplomas," said Mr Kaukia.
"Currently we have three diploma groups and two certificate
groups.
"Every year we seem to have new intakes for both certificate and
diploma.
"This year it was initially planned to change the venue from Fiji
to Vanuatu due to the recent development with the government in
Fiji.
"However it was finally decided by our clients that, the course
will be offered in Cairns, Australia for the 30 Pacific
participants. This will also provide an opportunity for us to
market our programs in a different country.
Mr Kaukia said in addition to the workplace training program, the
university's education programs have attracted interest from
Nauru.
He said the university has reached an agreement with the Nauru
Department of Education to provide educational training through
NZAID funding offered in that country. Dr Kaman and Dr Solon flew
over to deliver the program and they will be there for three
weeks.
Mr Kaukia said the same program is being offered to the Solomon
Islands with one lecturer there.
"I am glad that, this is now an eye opener for our neighbouring
countries.
"FFL is optimistic to see that other programs like management,
human resource management and health programs will now be
available to them," he said.
Mr Kaukia believes that the flexible learning mode of delivery is
the way forward in terms of addressing the training and
educational needs for industries and professionals.
"In addition, with the mixed mode of delivery (the face to face
and distance) our students feel more part of the whole student
body of the university when they come over for the one or two week
residential component.
"Bearing in mind the difficulties of distance learning in PNG,
FFL's main focus is on student support and completion rate.
"This is our strength towards assuring our clients confidence and
money's worth," said Mr Kaukia.
The said the biggest challenge with the overseas students is
maintaining communication and contact with them.
The FFL is leading the way in fulfilling the strategic plan of the
university for the next 10 years where one of the aims is to make
DWU a regional higher education hub.
 
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