Beauty queen off to China for studies

 YALINU Poya, Miss Friendship and the runner-up in the 2011 Miss South Pacific PNG Pageant, will do her Masters majoring in inorganic chemistry, in China.

“I have always been a firm believer that the sky is the limit in terms of education,” an excited Poya said.

“I have set goals in my life. After graduating with my Bachelor’s Degree I had hoped to go on to Masters studies and PhD.”

She had graduated from the University of PNG in 2011 with a Bachelor of Science majoring in chemistry and was employed by Beltek Chemicals in Port Moresby. 

In January last year, she moved to Barrick Gold Mine in Porgera as a process technician, a job she still holds.

“Ever since I was very young, I had made up my mind to achieve goals and build up a successful career and life.

“I have stuck to that goal ever since and I have never once thought twice or allowed my attention to deviate from all this.”

The 25-year-old from Kauwo village, in Pangia, Southern Highlands, was offered a Chinese government scholarship  for a two-year Masters programme starting next month at the North-Eastern University in Changchun city.

Poya encourages her country women to rise up and grab opportunities in education and take up jobs.

“Times have changed, women are taking up major roles in the fields of business, science, government – all because they have the passion to succeed in life,” she said.

Poya said education was the key and women should tap into it.