On Tuesday Divine Word University’s (DWU) Rabaul Campus commemorated a generational milestone, bringing together staff, students, alumni, and church leaders for a landmark celebration at the Kabaleo Teachers College grounds.
While DWU’s main headquarters is in Madang, the Rabaul Campus has firmly established itself as a vital beacon of higher learning across the New Guinea Islands.
That growth traces back to a strategic push under former DWU President, Father Jan Czuba, who championed the amalgamation of long-standing church-run institutions, St. Mary’s School of Nursing (SMSON) and OLSH Kabaleo Teachers College, into the university fold.
By January 2015, the integration was complete, built on a shared philosophy to spare island students the cost and displacement of moving to the mainland while opening doors to degrees, master’s programs, and doctorates.
That exact vision of localized empowerment roared to life during Tuesday’s commemorations, which kicked off with a solemn Eucharistic Mass led by the Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Rabaul, Rochus Tatamai.
Kabaleo students led the liturgy, setting a reflective tone before the crowd shifted to the main arena for the flag-raising ceremony, the national anthem, and the national pledge.
After a lunch break, proceedings resumed with an opening prayer by Fr. Alphonse Dende, the school Chaplin at Kabaleo and a welcome from the campus administrator, Karaho Asimi.
Current DWU President Professor Fr. Philip Gibbs officially declared the anniversary open, joining alumni representatives in reflecting on decades of community impact.
The speeches made way for a vibrant showcase of student talent and academic history.
Traditional and contemporary dance routines lit up the grounds, running alongside a meticulously narrated historical parade that traced the evolution of nursing education in the region.
The procession marched forward from the foundational diploma graduates who have served since 2004, right up to the historic milestone of the pioneer Bachelor of General Nursing graduating cohort of 2026.
Central to the parade and the institution’s enduring identity were DWU’s eight core values: Academic Excellence, Integrity, Respect, Hospitality, Learning for Life, Social Responsibility, Community Engagement and Service, and Diversity.
These principles were proudly displayed as placard bearers and students marched with faces painted in colors representing provinces right across Papua New Guinea.
Cheers and excitement took over as judges and dignitaries toured the student booths. At the General Nursing display, visitors lined up for free health checks covering blood pressure, weight, height, and BMI (Body Mass Indices).
Good humor filled the tent as Rabaul Lord Mayor James Wong and DWU President Professor Fr. Philip Gibbs rolled up their sleeves to have their blood pressure taken by student nurses from the pioneer degree batch.
When the competition results rolled in, the Midwifery students claimed first place for their standout booth display, while Year 2 students representing SMSON took out the hotly contested DWU anthem song competition.
As the sun dipped behind Kabaleo, the day wrapped up with closing remarks from the campus administrator and Professor Fr. Gibbs, followed by a final blessing from Fr. Alphonse Dende, closing out a proud chapter of history, and setting sights firmly on the next thirty years.