Momentous occasion for Papua New Guinea fisheries

Caption: Pioneer degree graduates Liu Robinson, Christopher Binabat, Jane Wungen, Priscilla Warambin and Joseph Kendou after their graduation last Friday

 

Five young people, including two females, have made history by becoming the first-ever to graduate with bachelor’s degrees in fisheries and marine resources from PNG University of Natural Resources & Environment (UNRE), formerly University of Vudal.

The university’s fisheries and marine resources (FMR) programme came of age at the National Fisheries College in Kavieng last Friday when UNRE Chancellor Sir Rabbie Namaliu conferred bachelor’s degrees on five fisheries and marine resources pioneer graduates: Christopher Binabat, Joseph Kendou, Robinson Liu, Priscilla Warambin and Jane Wungen.

The graduation marks a new era in the higher education sector of Papua New Guinea as it reintroduces into the workforce, fisheries and marine resources graduates.

The country’s last strictly-fisheries degree graduates graduated in 1983 from the University of Technology in Lae.

The programme then became a part of the University of PNG’s marine biology curriculum; hence, last Friday’s graduation marks a milestone achievement for higher education and paves the way forward for the fisheries industry, both in PNG and the South Pacific.

National Fisheries Authority (NFA), PNG UNRE, German Technical Cooperation (GTZ), University of Bremen’s Centre for Marine Tropical Ecology (ZMT) and the Office of Higher Education (OHE), all contributed in their various capacities towards the successful establishment and administering of the academic course.

Guests at last Friday’s graduation in Kavieng included New Ireland Governor Sir Julius Chan, NFA managing director Sylvester Pokajam, Sir Rabbie and UNRE Vice Chancellor Prof Philip Siaguru.

Ms Wungen, on behalf of the graduands, gave a vote-of-thanks to all who had contributed towards the programme.

“You have done a tremendous job to bring this programme into existence, that will help the country and the citizens of this nation,” she said.

“With the knowledge that was gained in this programme, the students graduating with degrees in fisheries and marine resources now have the ability to assist the government and NGOs to manage marine resources that are becoming scare in many parts of our country, and bring back benefits to our local communities.”

Sir Rabbie said the graduation augered well for the future.

“I believe it is a very good sign for things to come, because we all want to see UNRE become the premier institution of higher learning again in the Pacific Region in the fields of agriculture, fisheries and livestock among other things, just as its distinguished precursor, Vudal Agricultural College, was able to offer in its heyday,” he said.

“Fisheries and marine resources are a vital source of food and vital source of income for our peoples and countries within our region.

“Recently, our government announced a 2050 vision plan for development for PNG in the next 40 years, in which human capital development is one of the main features.

“The government also announced a new marine park in the Madang province where our fisheries and marine resources can be commercially harvested and processed on a sustainable basis to meet the domestic as well as international demand for food and other products.

“Both undertakings will stimulate a growing demand for technical and professional skills and training for which UNRE, in conjunction with the Kavieng Fisheries College, can play a pivotal role in producing graduates.”

Sir Rabbie said several years ago, there were critics and skeptics who questioned the viability and wisdom of introducing the diploma and degree programme in fisheries.

“I am pleased that today’s ceremony, after last year’s ceremony for our first diploma graduates, will put these concerns firmly to rest,” he said,

“I wish to thank PNG UNRE and its staff through the Vice Chancellor, together with the National Fisheries Authority through the Managing Director and GTZ for their foresight and for their efforts in putting this course together.”

 Prof Siaguru said at a time when sweeping and significant changes were occurring in the South Pacific, the fisheries and marine resources programme would be a blessing for many people, not only in this country but throughout the Pacific, with the university increasing its intake of international students.

“Today, we have witnessed the beginning of a new dawn for fisheries and marine resources sector in Papua New Guinea,” he said,

“For the first time, after more then 20 years, five students have finally made it through to register themselves as the pioneers of the fisheries and marines resources degree programme.

“This profession has truly come of age.”

Also graduating on the day were 16 students who were awarded diplomas in fisheries and marine resources by Sir Rabbie.

They are the second batch of diplomats under the programme, the first group of seven students graduating in the inaugural fisheries and marine resources graduation ceremony last year.

Kavieng businessman sponsors fisheries internship

Caption: Kavieng businessman Douglas Tsang congratulates fisheries and marine resources degree dux Jane Wungen, who will be spending six months as an intern with Wildlife Conservation Society

Kavieng businessman Douglas Tsang has made an innovative three-year commitment to fund a six-month internship for the dux of the fisheries and marine resources degree programme.

Mr Tsang, through his company Bisi Trading, has committed K5, 000 for 2009 dux Jane Wungen to spend six months as a research assistant with New Ireland-based Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS).

“It is a great honor for us to do something like this,” he said.

“I want to do something for New Ireland as this is where I was born and bred.

“We’re really excited about the National Fisheries College and its future here in New Ireland.”

National Fisheries Authority managing director Sylvester Pokajam commended Mr Tsang and WCS for their support of the degree programme.

“This is an exciting innovation to the degree programme and will, I am sure, provide a major incentive to degree programme students to excel in their studies,” he said.

“My thanks also to WCS for their assistance in providing the work opportunity.

“I am hopeful that this type of innovation can be strengthened in future years to provide valuable work experience for our graduates.

“My thanks are also due to the other business houses of Kavieng that have shown their support to the college and the programme through the sponsorship of prizes for both the degree and diploma courses.”

Pioneer women fisheries graduates set the trend

Pioneer women fisheries and marine resources graduands Jane Wungen (left)  and Priscilla Warambin are proud to be trendsetters in their profession.

Ms Wungen, 23, from Winge in East Sepik and Ms Warambin, 24, from Turubu also in East Sepik, were all smiles when they spoke with me after graduating in Kavieng last Friday.

“I’m very happy and proud to be a pioneer of this degree programme,” Ms Wungen, also dux of the degree class, beamed.

“The knowledge that I have gained from the last four years can be used for the befit of our maritime provinces.”

Ms Wungen, who is interested in maritime conservation, will be taking up a six-month internship with Wildlife Conservation Society in New Ireland province,

“We want to encourage more women to take up this programme,” she said.

“It’s a very-challenging course but very rewarding.”

Ms Warambin concurred with Ms Wungen.

“I’m also very proud to be one of two females graduating with degrees in fisheries and marine resources,” she said.

“It’s been very challenging and I’m very proud to have come this far.

“I’m also hoping to get into marine conservation.

“I think it’s very important that we start conserving our marine resources, given the way our population is increasing.

“We tend to increase our exploitation of marine resources.”

Cartoon of the century!

New Ireland makes a comeback

Caption: Children playing on the waterfront in Kavieng, New Ireland province.Picture by MALUM NAlu

 

New Ireland province is making a comeback from the setbacks of the last few years, according to Governor Sir Julius Chan.

The former Prime Minister said in Kavieng last Friday that he had rehashed the political system and totally realigned the public service.

Although Sir Julius did not mention it, it is understood that he was referring to his predecessor Ian Ling-Stuckey, whose illegal financial and administrative system known as the “Limus Structure” brought about massive problems during his tenure.

An investigation into the financial dealings of the New Ireland provincial government between 2002-2007 has found instances of systemic and blatant abuse of financial and administrative process, gross misuse and misappropriation of public funds totaling over K64 million in five years.

According to the report, the illegal Limus Structure was organised by Mr Ling-Stuckey and Kavieng MP Martin Aini.

 It was a pyramid-type structure where Mr Ling Stuckey was positioned at the top followed by the two open MPs from the province (Kavieng and Namatanai) then the district coordinators, local level government coordinators, ward coordinators then down to segments of the community then onto individuals.

Tabling the report in the New Ireland provincial assembly on Sept 9 this year, Sir Julius recommended for the Ombudsman Commission to carry out a detailed investigation into the leadership culture perpetrated under Mr Ling-Stuckey’s administration.

During the five-year period over K64m of public investment funds belonging to  Papua New Guinean taxpayers were unaccounted for.

The New Ireland provincial executive council,  through its decision number 11/2008,  appointed an independent investigation to be carried out by RAMS Business Consultants supported by Loani Henao of Henao Lawyers to investigate the financial affairs of the New Ireland province from 2002-2007.

The report strongly recommends for appropriate criminal, civil and leadership action against Mr Ling-Stuckey and former provincial administrator Robinson Sirambat.

Sir Julius said at last Friday’s graduation at the National Fisheries College that he was determined “to transform New Ireland province into a self-reliant, autonomous part of PNG that is efficient, market-orientated and internationally-competitive”.

“We are fully aware that to make the Malangan Declaration real – bold and visionary leadership at all levels, from Members of Parliament, Governor, public service and local government councilors,” he said.

“Already, we have rehashed the political system, totally realigned the public service, making it more operational, effective, transparent and accountable, rejecting self-interest and weed out all forms of cronyism and corruption.

“Our mission is to be a force for positive change, to inspire others to greatness through being a catalyst for action – always striving to continually invent the future out of our imagination.

“Ours is not a fixed period or a 40-year strategic plan but a spiritual, living document of hope – clinging to the unchanging principles but adjust to changing times.

“Unlike our sick and stifled Parliament, we insist on full participatory democracy in that the people of New Ireland, however remote, come together to dedicate and commit themselves to create a society in which the powerful and weak, rich and poor, work together to extend the benefits of development to all the people; promote unity, peace and a common resolve so that the province will realise its full potential and that no-one shall be left behind in the development of the province.”

 

Entertainment a'la New Ireland

A singsing group from Tabar Island, New Ireland province, peforming at the National Fisheries College in Kavieng last Friday after the inaugural graduation of degree students in fisheries and marine resources.

 

Beautiful Nago Island, New Ireland province

I had the privilege of visiting beautiful Nago Island off Kavieng, New Ireland province, last Friday. This is where the National Fisheries Authority is building a research centre for international researchers as well as students from the National Fisheries College in Kavieng. The NFA is working in partnership with beighbouring Nusa Island Retreat to also build a resort for tourists. This is a beautiful part of paradise Papua New Guinea.