Tree of peace at Unitech

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By VICKY BAUNKE
ENGA and Southern Highlands students planted a tree at the University of Technology (Unitech) yesterday to symbolise peace and harmony being restored at the Taraka campus in Lae.
Enga student president Collin Kuti and his Southern Highlands counterpart Kensy John planted the tree on Tuesday, which was witnessed by more than 800 students.
They said the peace ceremony would set a legacy for current and future students from the two Highlands provinces.
“This tree will tell a story to our future generations and Papua New Guinea that we made peace through the grace of God and as this tree grows, peace and harmony grows as well among us all,” John said.
Kuti added: “Unitech is our home and we will no longer live in fear.”
The tree-planting was regarded as a significant event as it cleared fear among students and a proper atmosphere for students to return to classes without intimidation.
Student leaders from other provinces as well as the university management and staff also witnessed the ceremony.
The peace and reconciliation process was successfully achieved with assistance from the Enga, Southern, Highlands and Morobe governments, the Government, Unitech administration and staff, church groups and the police.
Unitech chancellor Sir Nagora Bogan expressed gratitude for the combined efforts to restore peace, especially from late student Graham Romanong’s family and the Enga, Southern Highlands.
He also thanked Unitech peace and reconciliation committee, which took ownership of the process to ensure restoration of peace and harmony on campus.