POLYTEC CELEBRATES 39TH NATIONAL INDEPENDENCE DAY

In

 its own little and humble way, the National Polytechnic Institute of Papua New Guinea, better known as Polytec or NPIPNG, celebrated the country’s 39^th Independence Day on 16 September 2014 in front of the administration building where a stage was constructed. This is the second consecutive year that this student-centred program initiated by the SRC with the support of administration is staged by the Institute. 

A wake up call was sounded at 6:00 o’clock in the morning through the blare of lively sounds.

It was raining the night before but it has subsided before dawn. So the special day was met by a cool breeze and clear morning sky. Indeed, a lovely day!

Replete with dazzling PNG colours of red, black and gold, together with provincial flags flying atop the length of the administration building that was fully adorned with plants, flowers and coconut palms, the air was completely filled with mood of jubilation and cheering.

Participating staff and students wore clothes with PNG emblems and insignias exhibiting their joyful pride and nationalism.

The Institute Independence Day program started at around 7:30 a.m. with sing-sing drum-beaters and performers led by students from AROB delighting the crowd, some of whom lined up along the Institute’s fence in Mildfordhaven road.

SRC President, Nolen Ulbal, welcomed the participants and encouraged the audience to reflect on “where we have been in the past, where we are now, and where we will be in the future”.

A large PNG flag was paraded in and was hoisted as the National Anthem was sung with SDA Choir leading while the crowd proudly waved their small flags in the air. It was followed by the recitation of the National Pledge.

PNG songs were sung by the Institute staff led by Ms June Modudula, Ms Mary Soporon and Mrs Joy Hila. Full with much enthusiasm and sheer delight the Director, Mr Graham Bidang, joined the singing on stage.

In his remarks, Mr. Bidang recounted the precise date and time when the nation obtained its independence from colonial rule and encouraged everyone to reflect on the country’s storied past from there. He pointed to printed stories and pictures of previous national leaders posted prominently on the Institute’s notice boards.

He preached to the crowd that the country’s leaders, both past and present, were chosen by God and that it is “our Christian duty to support the government of the day in prayers.” He acknowledged the participation of people in attendance, and if they have not enough, they could continue after the Institute program to Eriku Niall Reserve ground where a bigger Independence Day program was organised by the Morobe provincial government.

After performing more songs and dances, the program ended at 9:00 a.m.

Unable to contain her delight, the program MC - female SRC Vice-President Ms Lynn Kavi - went down the stage and participated in the dance number to the enjoyment of appreciative onlookers.

The event was superbly planned by SRC with the enabling support and advise from our Tourism lecturer, Mr. Peter Imbal, who is also SRC Advisor representing the Administration.

Following the program, the merry-making continued at the basketball court with Waipa dance participated in mainly by students from the Highlands region but joined in by staff and students from other provinces, including the Director, who incidentally had to withdraw halfway through the dance because he cannot keep up with the ferocity and the fast pace of the excited young bloods celebrating the event. Even for a fleeting moment, the administration, heads of department, teaching and ancillary staff and students of the Institute celebrated in unison unabashedly showing their collective pride and national fervour!
 
By Joselito Marcos, Deputy Director – Academic

The National Polytechnic Institute of Papua New Guinea