Open Day 12 June 2015: Vice Chancellor's Remarks

<<Check against delivery>>

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Welcome to the Papua New Guinea University of Technology, which this year celebrates proudly and confidently its Golden Jubilee, its 50^th anniversary.

We were founded on 27 May 1965 by an Act of the House of Assembly on the same day at the University of Papua New Guinea. We are truly twin universities, which today is symbolized with the Vice Chancellor of each University being member of both Councils. In those 50 years, UNITECH has produced over 13.000 graduates, and this year alone in April we graduated over 1,000 new graduates.

O3B Installation at UNITECH

Opening of O3B Installation 29 May 2015

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Today, the official opening of our O3B marks the beginning of a new start for the Papua New Guinea University of Technology at its 50th birthday. (O3B stand for the Other 3 Billion people in the world, who do not yet have access to fast broadband internet).

Finally, we will have the most reliable and fastest internet in the country delivered through satellite, and distributed through Wifi across our whole campus. This fits our vision for the Papua New Guinea University of Technology to be an innovative, entrepreneurial and student-centred University.

UNITECH Vice Chancellor's Graduation Speech 10 April 2015

(please check against delivery, under embargo until 11.00 am, 10 April 2015).

Dear Students, Honourable Minister Charles Abel, Mr. Keli Taureka (Exec VP Inter-Oil), distinguished Guests, Heads of Department, Faculty and Staff of UNITECH, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Internet Frustration in PNG

It is my privilege today to address the graduands of the 47th graduation of the Papua New Guinea University of Technology UNITECH, their parents, family members and sponsors.

This year, we present to our Chancellor graduands from our different programs: 40 Post Graduate graduands (of which 1 in our in-house doctorate program and 13 in our MBA, which is by now well-established), and 1,012 from our Bachelors programs. Today, we add 1,052 UNITECH graduates to the total number of about 13,000, and celebrate the largest graduation ever.

We also acknowledge 3 UNITECH Faculty members who obtained their doctorates at foreign universities since our last graduation: Veronica Bue, Lydia Yalimbing and Jim Pai Lem. Congratulations to each of you, and thank you for your effort and sacrifice.

Is PNG heading for a crisis?

Original: Is PNG heading for a crisis? 22 February 2015

Author: Stephen Howes, ANU

Last year in Papua New Guinea was eventful, marked by a series of controversial government decisions.

In March, the government decided to take out a loan of about 3 billion kina (US$1.2 billion, about 8 per cent of GDP) to buy shares in Oil Search. The decision divided the government, and the treasurer was sacked for his opposition to it.

Why UNITECH chose Ubuntu, free and open-source operating system

UPDATE: All the reasons below are still valid, but here is an update from How to Geek magazine from 2024.

Our main reasons for choosing Ubuntu  as an operating system for the student and staff laptops, and all the (virtual) desktops are the following:

1. No viruses are known, no virus software license is needed
2. Comes with free open-source software (LibreOffice is better than MS Office, except maybe Excel)
3. With cheaper, simpler hardware, better performance.
4. Longer battery life on laptops.
5. Life-long support for graduates, no pirated software needed.
6. Edubuntu version for higher education.
7. Zero price, low lifetime costs. Yes, sometimes something free can be better than something you pay for!

Quotes and full text of US Ambassador's Walter North's speech "Unburned Bridges"

HE US Ambassador Walter North

‪#‎PNG‬ ‪#‎UNITECH‬ Guest Day Orientation Week all quotes from US Ambassador Walter North's speech "Unburned Bridges", deliver at Duncanson Hall on 4 February 2015:

There is a wonderful Welsh proverb that says: "He who would be a leader should be a bridge".

"..the advancement of our world depends on educated citizens with skills and moral awareness to drive change"

"in looking at PNG, I have been amazed by the tremendous spirit of innovation, generosity and grit that makes lives of dignity possible".

On Being a Good University 2: speech for Minister Tabar's Visit on 4 February 2015

Speech held by Dr. Albert Schram, Vice Chancellor, for the visit of Hon. Malakai Tabar, Minister HERST

4 February 2015, Duncanson Hall, West Taraka Campus

(1800 words – 14 Minutes)

Follow me on twitter @albertschram
Like my Facebook page, then you can ask me questions, and stay up to date on all UNITECH news: https://www.facebook.com/albert.schram

INTRODUCTION

Students, Minister Hon. Malakai Tabar, First Secretary honoured guests, professors, heads of departments, Faculty and staff members, ladies and gentlemen,

We are delighted to welcome our Minister, Hon. Malakai Tabar today to our campus, and we thank him for addressing our first year students. This is the third time he visits our campus, and I believe it is a sign that we have good relations with the Department.