Maru launches Unitech alumni, calls for other unis to follow

IT is important that universities embark on initiatives like alumni, Minister for National Planning and Monitoring Richard Maru says.
Maru launched the Papua New Guinea University of Technology (Unitech) Alumni on Friday in Lae.
He said the state has many priorities and despite the fact that they were aware of the requirements of the universities, the current resource envelope does not allow the government to provide the level of funding the universities need.
He said the network of graduates and their connections could become a major source of funding to complement what the government was doing in terms of funding support for universities.
“I also encourage other universities to go down this path,” Maru said.
“I have no doubt that as the alumni grow and are able to effectively network with the former graduates of Unitech there will be a major source of funding going forward.”
He said alumni members would have access to development funds, have access to companies, many of them work in high places and Unitech would be able to tap into a lot of resources where they have been unable to tap into without the alumni.
Acting Vice-Chancellor Dr Ora Renagi encouraged former graduates to become members as they will not only contribute back to Unitech but to the country.