Hunter keeps achieving

By OLIVE SUKUN
PNG HUNTER’s player Bland Abavu was among the 250 who graduated at the IEA College of Tafe in Port Moresby on Friday.
“Rugby is my hobby but I have always wanted to balance my sporting career with education,” Hunters full back, Abavu said.
Graduating with a diploma in business, Abavu’s long term goal is to pursue further education to secure his future.
Deputy Prime Minister Davis Steven told those gathered that it was a challenge for the government to deliver graduates into the workforce every year.
“I want to thank the leadership of IEA for continuing to play an important role in delivering quality education to complement what the government is doing.”
He acknowledged the graduates’ parents for all the challenges they endured to send their children to school.
IEA Tafe manager Chris Jones said this year, the Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (DHERST) estimated that 29,000 young people would graduate from grade 12, a 16 per cent increase from the 25,000 who graduated last year.
“DHERST has recently requested that the IEA College of Tafe participate in the national selection process to ensure that more school graduates have the opportunity to apply for a placement with the IEA College of Tafe,” Jones said.
Kumul Petroleum Holdings Ltd corporate service executive general manager Luke Liria challenged the graduates to make use of their gifts and talents with a good character.
He said with character, self-discipline and good self-image, they can become anything they want to be.