Unitech graduation misses two students

By ELLEN TIAMU
THE University of Technology in Lae, Morobe province, held its graduation ceremony last Friday minus two of its graduating students who died in a car crash two days earlier.
Elrick Va’a, a second-year student in surveying and land use, and Blessed Wesley, a final-year student in the same programme, were to have graduated last Friday.
They died after the vehicle they were travelling in rolled over while trying to avoid potholes.
The accident happened on Wednesday last week at Tanam village along the Highlands Highway near Nadzab.
Blessed’s uncle John Tokmun received his degree.
Va’a was from Bialla in West New Britain province. Wesley was from East New Britain but his grandparents had moved to Bialla to work years ago. 
Students, family and friends in Lae will bid them farewell at their funeral service tomorrow at the campus.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Vice-Chancellor Albert Schram described it as a time for celebration amid tears.
Meanwhile, more than 800 students graduated with more than 1,000 conferred at the Taraka campus.
Continuing second-year students were also conferred their diplomas.
A total of 586 students graduated with degrees and 442 received diplomas.