B’ville college ready to welcome new students after five years

By JOY TOROME
Bougainville Technical College in Tinputz, Bougainville, is ready to welcome its first batch of students this year after it has been closed for five years, deputy principal Sebastine Muku says.
The BTC is a replacement for the former Arawa Technical College.
With funding received from national and Bougainville governments, the college would start operations this year.
It would give priority to Bougainville students with plans to have intake from other provinces in future.
The college would offer diploma in business management, accounting, basic communications, tourism and hospitality and office administration while trade courses offered are building and construction, plumbing, metal fabrication and welding.
It would also offer national certificate 1, 2 and 3 programmes for grade 10 school leavers.
Electrical and electronic courses will be offered next semester.
Muku said the college had 12 lecturers and trainers.
The college’s facilities were in good condition.
“Most of the intakes are on self-sponsored,” Muku said.
“Their respective local MPs will assist them to pay their fees.
“Registration is open now and classes will start in February 8.
“This is the only premier institution in the region at the moment that would educate to train skilled workers.
“I am urging all the students who want to take trade courses to come here and learn.
“The financial support that we received from Autonomous Bougainville Government is very good and in the near future the college will become a poly-technical college.”
Muku said the college would sign a memorandum-of-agreement with University of Technology to establish its distance-learning centre on campus.
He said the college would enrol schools leavers as well.