OTML does part to develop graduates

The National Business

OK Tedi Mining Limited (OTML) is committed to maintaining an industry-institution relationship with the Papua New Guinea University of Technology (Unitech) to ensure the institution produces quality graduates that are industry ready, says an executive.
OTML managing director and chief executive officer Kedi Ilmibit said this last Thursday at the opening week of PNGUoT’s orientation and registration week, marking the start of the 2024 academic year.
Ilimbit said people were OTML’s greatest resource that made the company a successful business for PNG. And many of them began their journey at Unitech.
“This is the special bond that OTML has with Unitech as many of our professionals in the mining, processing, engineering, communication for development, accounting, computer sciences fields, and many others, have come through this great institution,” Ilimbit said.
He said one of the greatest legacies that OTML intended to have was the people it had trained.
“OTML has been fortunate to acquire some of the best minds from the University of Technology over the last few decades through OTML’s training programmes or direct employment.
“Vice Chancellor Professor Oala Renagi, who was my physics lecturer years back can attest to this as he visited Ok Tedi late last year and met many talented professionals who once called Unitech their educational home and are now doing great work for Ok Tedi. I have no doubt that many of you seated here are on that same trajectory. We are ready to welcome you.”
Ilimbit announced certain projects which were currently being progressed as a commitment to their relationship with the university.
These include:

  • A donation of five light vehicles;
  • Building of the Analytical Chemistry Laboratory facility under the Infrastructure Tax Credit Scheme;
  • A funding of K100,000 for the development of a Technology Transfer Centre;
  • Aiding final year students through Industrial Training placements;
  • Help drive changes in the industrial training program within the mining industry; and,
  • Possible collaborations on knowledge and skills sharing.

Ilimbit said many Unitech graduates who had undergone training with OTML had ended up working in resource projects around PNG and the world which was a testament to the quality of the leraning and experience they received.