Institute to offer degrees in 2021

EDUCATION

APRIVATE training institution in Port Moresby founded less than a decade ago will be offering bachelor degree courses in primary education and general nursing beginning next year, it was announced last week.
The Asia Pacific Institute of Applied Social, Economic and Technical Studies (Apisets) last week graduated 32 students with certificates and diplomas in community health worker, general nursing, primary education, business studies and electrical technology.
Apiasets prides itself as a ‘school of second chances where no dreams and aspiration should be left shattered.’ The motto of of the 2020 graduation was aptly chosen: If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door!
Dr Jerry Tanumei, chief executive officer of the NDC provincial health authority and Peter Pindan, president of the PNG Nurses Council were the chief guests at the seventh graduation of the institute.
Their presence and that of the registrar of the PNG Medical Council was a crucial indication that Apisets was on the way to becoming a fully-recognised institute offering training for less fortunate students so they can enter the national workforce via an alternative route.
The PNG Medical Board and PNG Nurses Council duly recognised the course content and teaching methodologies, and most importantly the practical component of Apiaset’s curricula in nursing and education.

The seven graduate teachers and eight nurses who received diplomas this year have every opportunity to upgrade their qualification either immediately next year or after some years of working in the field. An incentive for them to pursue studies for their degrees is a 50 per cent scholarship offered by the institute. Graduates also have the opportunity to study abroad in the Philippines or Australia at partner institutions of Apiasets, director Thomas Phillar said.
“Join me in chasing my dream,” Phillar told the graduating class.
Phillar’s dream when he set out to establish Apiasets was to provide an opportunity for less fortunate Papua New Guineans to pursue their dreams to become educated and happy citizens, in line with the National Government’s greater Vision 2050.
The graduate teachers were Rex Aimo, Salome Gayani, Kelvin Komoe, Cathy Matafule, Fraiza Paul, Joan Steven and Alfred Terrence.
The nursing graduates were Sr Margaret Aitsi, Sr Julmie Aka, Sr Georgina Chapok, Sr Michelle German, Sr Lerhil Jims, Sr Relinda Pelek, Charlie Sumei and Tupi Jack.
Apiasets has uniquely provided an opportunity to school leavers who have been pushed out of the public education system. And instead of joining the thousands of school leavers who have given up hope, the graduates and those before them have selected this alternative education pathway which is progressively gaining recognition by state agencies such as the Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology as well as regulatory bodies like the nursing council and medical board.
Apiasets director Thomas Phillar and his staff are very grateful for the support given by the departments of education and health and especially the NCD and Central PHAs and the Port Moresby General Hospital for allowing its nursing students to undertake practical training at their various health facilities.
One of the community health worker graduates, Koyupa Paul who spent three weeks at the Moreguina Health Centre in Abau, Central was the recipient of the 2020 directors’ award.
Institute director Thomas Phillar described Paul as a very determined student.
Her story, according to Phillar, was one of struggles but she has proven to be a fighter. After completing Grade 10 at her home in Hela, she heard about Apiasets and travelled to Port Moresby seeking that second chance. She said she had difficulties but thankfully there were relatives around who supported her to completed her certificate course.
Over the few years of operation, Apiasets has indeed given hope to a growing number of school drop outs, many of whom have already secured employment.
The recognition by the relevant state agencies of its degree programmes in nursing and primary education which will start next year is a further boost to its reputation as a growing institute of higher learning.
Phillar told the graduates to consider working in remote rural areas where their services were greatly needed. They were also urged to get their respective registrations done.
Guest speaker Dr Tanumei urged the graduates to strive to achieve their dreams.
Tanumei pointed out that most people used only 10 per cent of their brain capacity but took the 90 per cent to the grave with them.
He urged the graduating class to make use of their education and God-given talents to help themselves and others.
“This is our time to create opportunities. Apply the knowledge you gained and God will prosper you. Walk with God. PNG is in your hands to make it better,” Tanumei told the graduates.
To young people out there who have just graduated or still looking out for opportunities, Apiasets could be the way to the start of a fulfilling career later in life.
Director Thomas Phillar and his staff who each have years of experinece in their respective fields share the single vision to impart knowledge so that ‘no dream is shattered’.