A pastor is among four University of Goroka (UOG) students who graduated from the UOG Maprik Campus on Friday.
Pastor Benjamin Silingin graduated with Bachelor of Education in School Management alongside fellow students Micah Stanley, Noel Nahambir and Alfred Gai through UGO’s Distance and Flexible Learning, Maprik Study Center.
They are now the pioneer graduates of the campus since it’s establishment in 2019.
The other three are community school teachers.
Stanley Micah is from Kubalia and is teaching at Yangoru District.
Noel Nahambir is from Drekikir and teaching in his Electorate.
Alfred Gai is from Angoram and is teaching at Turubu.
Speaking on behalf of the four graduands, Pastor Benjamin thanked the Maprik District Development Authority (DDA) for it’s decision to build a resource center and bringing in Universities to set up Distance and Flexible Learning.
He said this decision has allowed them to not only excel in their education but respective field of work.
“It is a sign of good governance.
“Thank you for the gift of education, we are truly blessed,” Pastor Benjamin said.
Director UOG-Maprik Campus Theresa Dingu said it was crucial the graduation ceremony was held in Maprik Town to encourage others to pursue this education path.
“I was asked to bring the students to Goroka to graduate with all the students at the main campus, but I refused.
“It was crucial the gowns were brought here and the graduation takes place in Maprik Town.”
She also extended her gratitude to the Maprik District DDA to allow UOG the opportunity to extend it’s Distance and Flexible Learning Center in Maprik.
UOG was the first university to accept the district’s invitation to set up at it’s newly built resource center.
CEO Maprik DDA Joshua Himina explained that the resource center was built to give another opportunity for students who have dropped out of Grade 8, 10 and 12.
Following the completion of the resource center, the DDA provided office spaces for FODE and University Centres.
Today, the resource center houses Distance and Flexible Learning Centres for University of Goroka, University of Papua New Guinea, PNG University of Technology and Divine Word University.
Himina said the dream to give the people of Central Sepik another chance in education and bring tertiary institutions closer to home was a dream of the Local MP and the DDA.
The resource center was built from a K1.5 million Government funding through the Department of National Planning.
“Each District was given K1.5million to build education resource centers.
“Maprik District has done exactly that and is currently serving 5000 students who are enrolled in various programs,” Himina said.
Chairman of the DDA and Member for Maprik, John Simon congratulated the DDA CEO for bringing their vision into reality and the first graduation.
Extending his congratulations to the graduating students, Simon encouraged them to not only use their degrees to find employment but also create employment.
“Let’s create jobs for ourselves, let us create employment,” he said.
The Minister for Agriculture believes Education is key for his people to make informed decisions in Agriculture.
The economy of Maprik District was built on Agriculture and depends heavily in Agriculture.
The graduation ceremony took place in the newly built Community Hall which was also officially opened on Friday by Agriculture Minister John Simon.
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