Ratu fulfils his father’s wish

By ZEDAIAH KANAU
LAST December, Enga village man Ratu Ken Kaupa, 25, was extremely excited, after overcoming hardships to graduate with a degree in petroleum engineering at China’s University of Petroleum.
Kaupa, from Pilikambii village, in Laiagam, Enga, is the first of six siblings and the first in his family and clan to obtain such an education, let alone overseas, speaks volumes to the testament of a man who once worked as a security guard.
Kaupa graduated last Dec 22 and though it was a monumental achievement for the Engan lad, there were mixed emotions because his father, who pushed him to pursue tertiary education, had passed away two years earlier.
“While in China, I lost my dad,” he said.
“He passed away in 2018.
“It was hard for me to accept his passing.
“I was overwhelmed with sorrow and thoughts of quitting my study and return home.
“Then, I realise that if he was still alive, he would want me to complete my studies.
“So I decided to stay back.”
Kaupa comes from a family with a rural village backdrop in Enga.
“With many mouths to feed, my parents worked day and night to make sure we had something to eat before going to bed. My mother is a primary school teacher and my dad worked with Barrick Niugini Ltd in Porgera,” he said.
Kaupa grew up in Porgera’s Suyan village but later moved to Mamale village in 2002 where he began his early elementary education to grade 2 at Mamale Bible School from 2002 to 2004.
Kaupa completed his primary education at Laiagam Primary School from 2005 to 2010.
He then pursued his education at Kopen Secondary School, completing grades 9 to 10 from 2011 to 2012.
Through merit, Kaupa secured a place at the Sogeri National High School outside Port Moresby.
In his two years there (2013 to 2014), he was slated for the science stream to do grades 11 and 12.
Kaupa secured a place in the University of Goroka in Eastern Highlands in 2015 but withdrew during first semester of freshman year due to personal reasons.
The following year, in May, he got a job with Ultimax Security, until September the same year, through the Education Pacific Agency (EPA), he secured a scholarship to study a four-year degree programme in petroleum engineering.
“I’ve learnt much, including the importance of self-discipline and timing while working with Ultimax Security,” he said.
Kaupa thanked Ultimax CEO Collin Kopyoto who gave him an opportunity and the EPA to help him apply for the scholarship.
At the peak of the coronavirus (Covid-19) crisis last year, 10 of his 16 coursemates withdrew from studies to return home to their countries.
“In 2020, with the pandemic, the Government facilitated flights and it was free so I wanted to return home but it was my final year,” Kaupa recalled.
“So, again, I decided to remain to complete my course.”
On graduation day, Kaupa and five of his remaining coursemates hosted a mini graduation due to the Covid-19.
“Dad was cheering from above,” he said.
“My family was in his heart.
“An achievement that will make my tribe proud upon my return.
“I have earned this for my family and my country.”
Kaupa acknowledged his sponsors, James and Jennifer Isau saying: “Thank you mother and dad for your constant love and support throughout the four years.
Kaupa also thanked his uncle Jack Amus Name for being a father figure to him, and his friends and families who supported through out his studies.
“Going forward, I am ready to share the knowledge gained to help contribute to nation-building for my country Papua New Guinea, my home,” he said.