Diane aims to help others

By CLARISSA MOI
LINKING both modern and traditional lifestyles and seeing them work in harmony to positively impact societies is the reason driving Diane Hirima to pursue further studies.
Diane, 30, from Sohe’s Mumuni village in Northern, recently graduated with first class Bachelor of Arts with Honors in political science at the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG).
She is the eldest in a family of two. Her younger brother Terence is 23. She works as a debt recovery officer with the Internal Revenue Commission (IRC).
She also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree at UPNG, attained in 2017.
Diane was raised by her mother Doreen, who works at Gateway Hotel.
She was also supported by her uncle Benjamin Tanewan who is a senior provincial magistrate in West New Britain, and his wife Daisy.
She attended Holy Rosary Primary School at 6-Mile before going onto Marianville Catholic Secondary School.
“We all have our own struggles. But I used my childhood story not for pity but for something good.
“It’s the challenges in our lives that will either break us or make us. I harnessed my challenges and that has brought me this far.
“Growing up in a patrilineal society, men are given more respect and treated as important because patrilineal societies see men as owners of land and resources that come with it.
“I grew up respecting what the society has laid for both genders.
“I respected the cultures, customs and traditions that come with it.
“As I grew and started to learn more about the global community and the exposure to outside world through learning and education, media and interaction with friends and people from different aspects of life, I started to change my view and developed ideas and concepts.
“I developed a mindset where I want to see both modern and traditional lifestyles intertwine to create harmony where both genders, regardless of what society we belong to must have positive impact on how the society should function and live on.
“Having that view in mind, I developed a habit and passion to read and research more on cross-cutting issues affecting our communities, the PNG societies and the country as a whole.”
Diane tried to read articles written by PNG academics, or any related articles, books and researches by international writers and academics as well.
It turned out to a point where she started to read and do researches on fields of science and business that was not related to humanities and social sciences.
“In my view it is rude to just nod during a conversation. It’s better to engage in a proper conversation with having a basic understanding or knowledge in that certain topic or issue,” Diane said.
“Embarking on taking the honours programme was challenging because I had to manage my time with work and school, and then the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic that hit PNG around last May.
“I had my own ups and downs but the motivation was there and I did not let anything stop me. The sub-thesis research was tough.
“There were times I had to sleep around 2am and wake up at 5am or 6am so I could get ready for work.
“I was not expecting that I would be graduating with first class honors because since I was juggling both work and school I thought I must have missed out some important points or have not structured my paper well.
“The amazing feeling you get when Dame Meg Taylor makes mention of the two young ladies that will be graduating with first class honours.
“It was amazing feeling when you are right in front waiting to be called to go up the podium and receive the paper you have tirelessly worked for let alone first class honors. I could not thank God enough.”
Diane wants to further her studies and obtain a masters’ degree but for now, she plans to use the knowledge she had acquired to impact policy and contribute to her employer.
Diane encourages young people to go the extra mile and take the risk for the good because at the end of the day it does not matter how hard your life has been, or how hard life has treated you.
“Use the knowledge and skills acquired and contribute to building this nation. Do it diligently and do it with pride.”