Pomtech gets registration certificate

The National Education

PORT Moresby Technical College (Pomtech) received its five-year registration certificate from the Higher Education Research Science and Technology Department (Dherst) on Wednesday.
“The certificate signals the beginning of new hard work, commitment and dedication that would be required to push the school forward and achieve its dream of becoming a Polytechnical Institute one day,” Pomtech college principal Henry Wamaingu said.
He said Pomtech had supplied quality and skilled students who were now employees in industries nationwide.
“With the Government recognising technical colleges is a great opportunity for us to train more skilled students,” he said.
“Support from the Government is, therefore, vital.”
Wamaingu said Pomtech had provided second chance to many grade 10 and 12 school leavers over the years and the Government was also helping the students with such recognition to colleges.
The certificate was presented by DHERST secretary Dr Francis Hualupmomi at the college’s 58th graduation ceremony at Sir John Guise Stadium in Port Moresby.
Wamaingu said the National Executive Council decision for all colleges to come under the department was made on Nov 5.
This meant all technical, nursing, teachers’ colleges were now under the DHERST, not the Education Department.
Meanwhile Pomtech received K500,000 from the National Planning and Monitoring Department for infrastructure development.
Department secretary Koney Samuel said technical colleges too had the power to contribute to nation building and Government support was vital.
“For the past years, the Government’s focus was on higher tertiary institutions such as universities, and technical, nursing, teachers’ colleges were forgotten,” he said.
“Service delivery was poor because more recognition was given to the higher institutions.
“I believe technical skill is what the country needs. I have seen the colleges providing second chance to the grade 10 and 12 drop-outs and then realised that the drop-outs are now mining engineers, electrical engineers.”