Two more Kumuls head to the UK

Caption: British Deputy High Commissioner to PNG, Colin Glass, shows the visas which were issued to the PNG Kumuls Larsen Marabe and Jessie Joe Parker outside the British High Commission office in Port Moresby

 

The British High Commission has issued visas to two Papua New Guinean rugby league players to play in the United Kingdom.

Larsen Marabe and Jessie Joe Parker will play for the UK second division side Featherstone Rovers and depart Port Moresby this week.

“We are very happy to be given this opportunity to play in the United Kingdom and we will strive to do our best on the field as well as be ambassadors for our country,” they both said after receiving their visas from the British High Commission.

British High Commissioner to PNG, David Dunn, praised the duo for being able to secure contracts with Featherstone Rovers and alerted them to the 2009 success of colleague Kumuls Menzie Yere, Charlie Wabo, Nico Slain and Michael Mark.

“Menzie Yere, Charlie Wabo, Nico Slain and Michael Mark have been able to stamp their mark in the UK with Menzie and Michael winning awards from their respective clubs. Menzie in particular was shortlisted for the Co-operative Player of the Year award that shows the potential of PNG rugby league players when exposed at the international level. Their experience shows that there are no international barriers when it comes to playing rugby league and I wish them well,” said Mr Dunn.

UK-based PNG league veteran Stanley Gene, who was instrumental in marketing Marabe and Parker to the Featherstone Rovers, thanked the British High Commission for issuing visas to Marabe and Parker and said it was their chance to experience life as a footballer in the UK.

“It's an opportunity for these players to see the other side of the world, experience different cultures and make a living out of it. They will be coached and trained by the best people and play a high standard of football – which will only help the PNG Kumuls in the future. Lastly I would like to appeal to the boys to take this opportunity, enjoy their time in the UK and always remember that they are representing PNG both on and off the field,” he added.

The departure of Marabe and Parker now brings the number of PNG Kumul players in the UK to 10. The others include Gene, Makali Aizue (both with Halifax RLFC), John Wilshire (Salford Reds RLFC) and Jason Chan (Celtic Crusaders RLFC).

 

 

Exciting developments on beautiful Nago Island

Captions: 1: Unspoilt white sandy beach on Nago Island. 2: Brand-new staff houses on Nago Island. 3: Visitors on the new wharf on Nago Island. 4: National Fisheries College principal Hugh Walton points out new developments on Nago Island. 5: Visitors check out the new research facilities.-Nationalpic by MALUM NALU 6: Nusa Island Retreat vehicle working on developing new tourism facilities on neighbouing Nago Island. 7: Nusa Island Retreat owner Shaune Keane (centre) at his new workshop on Nuga Island. 8: Pretty as a picture…new facilities on Nuga Island under swaying coconut palms.-Pictures by MALUM NALU

An innovative and exciting development is taking place off Kavieng, New Ireland province, on beautiful Nago Island.

The National Fisheries Authority is building a new research facility on Nago together with housing for its staff and researchers, as well as other associated facilities, at an estimated cost of K6 million.

In June, NFA managing director Sylvester Pokajam signed an agreement with the management of neighboring Nusa Island Retreat for the development of a new tourism facility on Nago Island to sit alongside the new NFA Nago Island Mariculture and Research facility.

“Under this agreement,” he explained, “Nusa will provide the operational services to NFA to allow us to concentrate on the core business of the new facility: the facilitation of research and development in marine resources and culture fisheries.

“This facility will also add a major component to the training and education resources of the National Fisheries College.”                                                                                                                           Mr Pokajam had hoped to open and commission the new facility last Friday, to coincide with the inaugural fisheries and marine resources degree graduation; however, this has been deferred to the New Year.

Last Friday, he took guests and other visitors on a guided tour of the new development, which is a classic example of the much talked-about public-private partnership (PPP).

 NFA principal High Walton told me on Nago that the property development would consist of two houses, one storage shed, an office complex with meeting room, a main research facility with 36 culture tanks, a wet laboratory, a laboratory/office, a workshop, a storeroom, a generator shed, a seawater reticulation system and a fresh water reticulation system.

“Essentially, there is a memorandum of agreement signed between Nusa Island Retreat and NFA,” he said.

“The terms are that we sub-lease half of our site to Nusa to build a resort.

“And they pay us rent for that.

“In return, they provide us all functional services like electricity, diving, grounds security, waste disposal, etc.

“What happens is they give me a bill for service for one month and I give them a bill for rental for one month.

“The advantage for me is that I can just concentrate on the key activity, which is research and facilitating research.”

Mr Walton said National Fisheries College students would have the advantage for a first-class international research centre.

“They’ll do their learning in the aquaculture centre,” he said.

“The advantage for sure is that it’s secure title because it’s State lease and also because it’s another attraction for guests.

“It’s a very attractive place.

“It’s attractive to visting researchers.

“We can offer services to visiting researchers that we can’t offer on our own.

“I think it’s very good to see a statutory authority like the NFA being innovative.

“This is the first of its kind in the country.

“Jais Aben in Madang was doing something similar; however, the difference is that it was an NGO.

“This is a government statutory authority.”

Nusa Island Retreat owner Shaun Keane told me that his company would cater for accommodation for visiting researchers as well as provide services such as a restaurant and bar.

“We’ll initially start with 10 rooms,” he said.

“After five years, there’ll be 30 rooms.”

National Fisheries College sets high standards

Captions: 1: Auditorium of the National Fisheries College.2: A ship’s anchor on campus. 3: Well-kept grounds of the National Fisheries College. 4: Dining hall at National Fisheries College.5: Dormitory at National Fisheries College.-6: Another dormitory at National Fisheries College. 7: Signboard at National Fisheries College, Kavieng.

The National Fisheries College in Kavieng, New Ireland province, is setting the standard for other tertiary institutions in the country with its well-kept campus.

Situated just outside Kavieng, the college, owned and operated by the National Fisheries Authority, prides itself on its high standard of facilities.

The students have good dormitories, the campus is kept spic and span, messing facilities are excellent, and high-speed broadband internet ensures that the students are kept up to date with what is happening around the world with regards to fishing.

Last Friday, the first batch of fisheries and marine resources degree graduands, under the programme run by the University of Natural Resources and Environment, received their scrolls from Chancellor Sir Rabbie Namaliu on campus.

NFA managing director Sylvester Pokajam said the college was an institution his organisation was proud of.

“We are the only fisheries agency in the region that has a fisheries college as one of its operational divisions,” he said.

“This makes us unique in the region but it also provides us with a significant challenge to gain a cost benefit from our investment in education and training.

“ I wish to say that, looking about the buildings and grounds of the National Fisheries College, I am proud of the manner in which these facilities are presented and maintained. “It conveys an air of professionalism and organisation and is a tribute to the commitment of the National Fisheries College services team and our collective contractors.

“I thank you for this.

“It is also a tribute to the commitment of the NFA board to support to the programmes of the National Fisheries College and the associated services and maintenance.

“We all have a collective responsibility to ensure this support is recognised by all concerned through the continued delivery of high quality and cost-effective training and education here at the National Fisheries College.”

National Fisheries Authority and University of Natural Resources and Environment continue relationship

Caption: NFA managing director Sylvester Pokajam (left) signs the MOA with UNRE Vice Chancellor Prof Philip Siaguru

 

The National Fisheries Authority and the University of Natural Resources and Environment have signed a memorandum of agreement to continue their relationship in the fisheries and marine resources degree and diploma programme for another three years.

The MOA was signed in Kavieng last Friday by NFA managing director Sylvester Pokajam and UNRE Vice Chancellor Prof Philip Siaguru.

The NFA owns the National Fisheries College in Kavieng, the only one of its kind in the Pacific, and works together with UNRE to teach students about fisheries and marine resources.

“NFA is a progressive and forward thinking organisation and we are proud of the partnership we have developed with the University of Natural Resources and Environment for the development and delivery of this programme for a further three years,” Mr Pokajam said,

“This also paves the way for collective approaches to infrastructure development in support of the programme.”

Mr Pokajam said earlier this year, the NFA board reconfirmed its commitment to this programme through the endorsement of an extended work experience scheme for third-year student within the various operational divisions of NFA.

“We also announced the establishment of a new graduate trainee development programme within NFA, whereby selected graduates will be hired on an internship basis to gain work experience within the NFA,” he said.

“This is a challenge for implementation by NFA in 2010.”

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.”