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

URBAN YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROJECT (UYEP)

Information Paper on URBAN YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROJECT (UYEP)

This brief provides an overview of progress made so far since the inception of the Urban Youth Employment Project (UYEP) PET Industrial Technical.  Pom Tech in collaboration with the Australia-Pacific Technical College (APTC) is proud to announce that it has won a bid to provide a comprehensive training solution for the Urban Youth Employment Program of the NCDC.  The Project is financed by the World Bank, Government of PNG and NCDC at a cost of approximately K1.7 million kina.  The Project is designed as a rapid response to address unemployment, underemployment and poverty in the main urban centre, Port Moresby and surrounding areas.

Kinivanagi Karo UYEP Coordinator at Pom Tech explaining the concept and programs of the UYEP, The Urban Youth Employment Project to Mr. Bilmor Bulatao while on his Inspection Visit at PomTech College 04-08 Aug.’  with The Principal Mr. Allan Tira

The objectives of the Pre-Employment Training (Industrial-Technical) program is basically be to provide youth with the information and basic skills necessary to  make changes in their lifestyle, values, and behaviours that will lead them to a more productive and quality-focused life, while at the same time giving them more potential for gainful employment.  The Pre-Employment Training (Industrial-Technical) does not aim to provide in depth technical training as it is only meant to introduce youth to basic ideas, skills and tasks and begin to make them familiar with the environment and tasks they are likely to be given during their job placement.   Associated with this objective is a specific need to improve the potential for the trainees to be more successful during their subsequent OJT training with potential employers.

 

Urban Youths starting the training day with YOGA to condition the body and mind.

Urban Youths in action making coconut scraper at carpentry section in Pom Tech

 
Each group/cohort consisting of at least 35 youth from selected suburbs in NCD began their Pre-Employment Training (PET Industrial Technical) on 5^th May 2014 for 20 days.  The College is providing trainers, workshops and classrooms for all the training to take place under the supervision of the Building and Carpentry, Automotive, Metal Fabrication and Welding departments.  Each morning from 8-9am all students attend YOGA.  The first 8 days youth will be exposed to HIV/AIDS information, Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) issues, Industrial relations, interview etiquette and CV and job application preparation.  Moreover youth will explore appropriate behaviours and values in the workplace, work ethics, supervisor-employee relations and gender and diversity in the workplace.  The next 12 days are spent in the 3 trade areas. All students will be issued PPE to keep for their OJT following the PET.

 

Gender Equality is active in UYEP – here are girls are doing automotive training at Pomtech.

Staffing:  Kinivanagi Karo (Project/Training Coordinator) Betty Yamuru (Job Skills), David Aina (Computer Applications), Faitana Butumai (Metal Fabrication & Welding), Kokents Kaling (Automotive), James Wani (Building & Carpentry), Maxine (Cleaner), Raymond & Phillip (Drivers)

 

Output:  Approximately over 400/945 youth will be trained this year, a total of 12 groups out of the target 27. 

 

Group 2 UYEP Final Day of PET.

Benefits to the College

 

In summary the Urban Youth Employment Project (UYEP) is expected to:

1.       Add much needed revenue for the college

2.       Provide full and part time employment for up to almost 10 staff

3.       Pay trainers’ salaries

4.       Beef up student numbers at the College

5.       Provide much needed support financially for College departments namely MF&W, B&C and Automotive.

6.       Pay hire for all classrooms, mess and workshops used by UYEP

7.       Tools, equipment and required materials for the 3 departments (everything is handed over to the department after the project)

8.       Lunches to the mess

9.       Employ drivers and the College gets another bus which is retained by the College after the project ends

10.    Pay for security provision in the college

11.    Add value to the programs run here at the College

By Kinivanagi Karo UYEP Coordinator at Pom Tech

 

ACADEMIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING

Mr. Lambert Barlis - TVET Senior Curriculum Officer for Business Studies attended Kokopo Business College and Goroka Technical College respectively in its final AAC Meeting  which deliberated amongst other things students' final results for first semester of 2014.

 

With the conventional curriculum still in place and continue to attract big number of enrolments every year, and with the implementation of the NC programmes, TVET ought to continue its role as catalyst and providers for improvements in its programmes, directions, policies, directives, implementation and evaluation. There should be commonality amongst TVET institutions in the delivery of its academic policies and assessments to assure stakeholders get a high standard of education and training. The final outcomes of compliance with directives and policies will result in quality human resource capital base for the entire PNG.

 

 

 at Kokopo Business College

 

 

At Goroka Technical College

SENIOR EDUCATION OFFICERS CONFERENCE (SEOC)

The 24th SEOC (Senior Education Officers Conference) has started last Monday, 28th July 2014 and ends on Friday, 1st August 2014. The theme for the conference is "Quality Teaching and Learning Makes A Difference In Schools".

 

Education Secretary Dr Michael Tapo (Second Left) and Education Minister Nick Kuman being escorted to the Grandstand at the Holy Trinity College by the traditional for the official opening of the Senior Education Officers Conference (SEOC) (Source; The National Newspaper)

 

It is an annual forum for the Education Department and the purpose is to bring senior officers together with their key partners like the Provincial Education Advisors, the Teaching Service Commission, Office of Library and Archives, development partners, Government Agencies, churches and other stakeholders to discuss issues pertaining to education services.

 

Technical Vocational Education & Training Wing Senior Officers attended the forum. (R-L) Mr. Wini Leka, a/First Assistant Secretary - TVET Wing, Ms. Monica Malauan, Assistant Secreatry - TVET Operation and Management Division, Ms. Assenith Tugiau, Assistant Secretary - TVET Community College and Vocational Schools Division, and Mrs. Rossa Apelis, a/Assistant Secretary - TVET Curriculum and Inspections Division.

 



MOU SIGNING BETWEEN POMTECH AND AITAPE VOCATIONAL TRAINING INSTITUTE – WEST SEPIK PROVINCE

This Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) acknowledges the working relationship between Port Moresby Technical College and Aitape Vocational Training Institute with the undertakings of providing and sharing of appropriate education and training resources to support skills development and enrichment through identified course programs.

To this end it is envisaged that identified courses at the Aitape Vocational Training Institute be aligned with those at Port Moresby Technical College that would provide articulation and pathways between the two institutions.

 

 

Aitape Vocational Training Institute and Port Moresby Technical College shall undertake to implement the MOA by working together to improve, enrich, and strengthen the curriculum offered at both institutions.

 

The Memorandum of Agreement will attempt to bring together functions to provide much needed educational services tot he institutions for the young population and hopefully give them a second chance in their educational ambition and improve their skills training so they will contribute meaningfully as citizen of this country.

 

 

It is anticipated that this Memorandum of Agreement would not attempt to deviate or in any way cause interference in each institution from fulfilling the primary objectives for their existence.

CURRICULUM IN-SERVICE PROGRAMME

Conducted by POMTECH and TVET

9th November 2012

 

The parties to this MOA hereby affirm and sign as set out below:

For and on behalf of Aitape Vocational Training Institute, the signatories are: Mr. Charles Yalei - Manager, Aitape Vocational Training Institute and Mr. George Saufa - School Board Chairman. While on Port Moresby Technical College side are: Mr. Allan Tira - Principal, Pomtech, Mr. Thomas Aiye and Mr. Damon Tiromry - TVET Representatives. The said signing was witnessed by Honourable Patrick Pruaitch - Minister for Forest and Engr. Rufino Rivera - Deputy Principal, Pomtech.

 

LAUNCH OF NSO PRODUCTS FOR 2014

The Acting National Statician invites the Department of Education through Mrs. Betty Napil, Research Officer of TVET Operation and Management Division, DoE. The said event showcased the official launch of the following:

• Consumer Price Index (CPI) Rebase Basket
• PNG Standard Industrial Classification
• 2011 Census Ward Profiles, and
• NSO Corporate Plan 2015-2019.

On behalf of Mrs. Napil, TVET MQA Research Officer Mr. Markus Magep attended the launching on Friday, 30th May 2014 at the Gateway Hotel, Port Moresby.

 

It is a privilege being given the opportunity to attend and witness an official launching that was held on the 30th of May 2014. Supposedly it was an invitation that was forwarded to Ms. Betty Napil - a Research Officer under TVET Operations in appreciation for her involvement in previous research activities which some of the data collected and results produced were included in some of those NSO Products. Fortunately, Mr. Magep was given the opportunity to attend the launching by Ms. Napil due to some constraints that cause her to be unable to attend.

 

NSO

 

The National Statistical Office (NSO) is Papua New Guinea’s Central Statistical Agency that is responsible to provide a full range of relevant and timely statistics on population, social and economic activities for the National Executive, State Agencies, Business and Individuals so as to provide the basis for information, decision making, research and discussion within community.

 

The National Statistical Office was established in 1981 by the Statistical Service Act (Chapter 386) and became the central agency in Papua New Guinea for providing statistical information to meet the needs of the Government for the formulation of policy and planning. Under Section 106 of the 1995 Reformed Organic Law on Provincial and Local Level Government, the NSO was also given the mandate to assist in creating statistical databases at the Provincial and Local Government levels for policy formulation and planning at these levels. Hence, this year 2014, marks great achievements accomplished by NSO to have completed and launched four (4) products.

 

Venue, Dates and Time

 

The launching was held in a conference room at the Gate Way Hotel at 7 Mile on the 30th of May 2014. The proposed time-length that was indicated on the program booklet for the whole launching program was 10:00am to 3:00pm. However, the program was delayed because the invited Minister-Hon. Charles Abel was engaged with a morning program with the other organisation. Eventually at 11:40am, the program started with an announcement of the arrival of the Minister for National Planning & monitoring - Hon. Charles Abel, by the Master of Ceremony, Mr Lahui Lovai. To open the program, Pastor Thomas Davai offered a prayer and a welcome speech followed after by Mr Roko Koloma - the Acting National Statistician. To coup up with time and without further delay, the NSO Products were Launch one after the other then.

 

Organisations/Departments Attended

 

There are many representatives from various departments and Organisations that attended the launching. Majority of these are from the National Statistic Office while few from the Department of Education, National Agriculture and Fisheries Department, and other Public Departments. Some organisations that attended are, the NGO, Reflectors Gospel Singers and the Post Courier Media crews.

 

Lunch and Entertainment

 

After the launching of the NSO Products, a lunch was organised for the invited guest and the guest of honours. The lunch break carries on till 2:00pm at which all were asked to leave. While the lunch was served, the Reflectors (Gospel Singing Group) entertain the guest in singing.

 

Recommendations and Conclusion

 

The overall presentation was quite good however, the arrival of the guests of honours were delayed. This has dragged the launching program to start late. This also affects the sequence of activities and timings as indicated on the printed program. It was observed that the presenters who present the introductory statements were also not prepared and few presenters present a little bit less than what was expected of them. Thus, it is recommended that in such programs there should be a stand by program that should be prepared in place to cater for unexpected outcomes.

 

However, it was a great achievement seen from the National Statistical Office to have accomplished four products in which the information compiled in these products will help the government departments in their policy making, planning, resource allocation and target development activities in the country. Hence, it was a great achievement by the NSO.

 

FODE GRADE 9 MATHEMATICS SUBJECT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING



Flexible, Open and Distance Education (FODE) has now completed the Unit Book 1 and Unit Book 5 for Grades 9 Mathematics aligned with the CDAD approved Syllabi. These Unit Books are now presented to the Subject Review Committees to approve and make recommendations to the Academic Committee. The said meeting was conducted on Thursday, 29th and Friday, 30th of May 2014 at the FODE Conference Room.



 



 

Mr. Lambert Barlis TVET CID Senior Curriculum Officer has been recommended and selected as a member of the FODE Subject Review Committee to look at the drafts of Grade 9 Mathematics Course Unit Books. His participation in this committee is vital for quality assurance of the Grades 9 course studies.

The said committee members are the following: Ms. Martha Kull - CDAD, Mr. Jerome Oko - DBTI Head Academic, Mr. Aaron Quta - Salvation Army, Mr. Dikana Kema - Ex-FODE Principal, Ms. Diana Akis - D/P Curriculum, Ms. Luzviminda Fernandez - FODE Senior Curriculum Officer, Ms. Cherrie Ann Basilio - FODE Curriculum Officer and Mr. Lambert Barlis - TVET CID Senior Curriculum Officer.