Pioneers graduate with diplomas in business, communications

THE University of Technology’s satellite university in Chimbu last Friday saw its pioneer students graduate with diplomas in business studies (accountancy) and communication for development studies programme.
Of the total 17, eight graduated with diploma in business studies (accountancy) and the rest with communication for development studies.
It was the first satellite university for Unitech’s externalisation programme to stage its graduation.
The successful graduation at the Chimbu Unitech satellite university (Cusu) came after a memorandum of understanding signed between the Chimbu administration and the Papua New Guinea University of Technology in April 2017.
The satellite university was established in line with Unitech’s externalisation plan to establish satellite campuses outside of the main Taraka campus in Lae.
The Chimbu government’s education development policy priorities identified the need to establish a tertiary education hub in the provincial capital, Kundiawa.
Unitech vice-chancellor Dr Ora Renagi said the university celebrated a milestone and success in its mission to externalise its programmes as its contribution to the education and professional development of the citizens and other Pacific nations.
“The government’s agenda is to expand access for higher education to the grater population,” he said.
“Cusu campus is the prototype project that Unitech is rolling out to address this agenda.” Dr Renagi said Unitech would effectively and efficiently roll out programmes to other centres in the country.
“The focus of the satellite campus training should be strengthened on developing programmes to train skills required to develop the human resources at the provincial levels to strengthen the provincial economy,” he said.
Dr Renagi appealed to the provincial government and local industries to focus on the university’s efforts and work together.