Jiwaka graduates and students have recently gathered in a week-long convention from December 6 to 10 attending life-changing programs.
This is the third Jiwaka Students and Graduates Annual Convention, since the team last hosted the second convention in 2014 at the Lutheran Church College Banz in the North Waghi District.
The Convention is a 2-week event that sees students and graduates spend the first half of the 14-day period carrying out awareness on issues including Health, Education, Governance, Politics, Development, and Business.
This year’s convention, held at the Kingku Hitech Training Institute in Jiwaka province, has seen participants from various secondary and tertiary institutions in the country and within Jiwaka province. Participants from Tertiary Institutions include the University of Technology, University of Papua New Guinea, Divine Word University, Maritime College, Lae Polytechnic Institute, Kudjip Nursing and Kingku Hitech Training Institute.
Under the theme, ‘Empowering the Next Generation of Game Changers’, the third Convention has also integrated various speakers who spoke on several topics including Danger of Fornication and Pornography in Youth Life; Healthy Living; Possessing an Excellent Spirit; Challenges in the Academic and Career Pathway; Spiritual Entrepreneurial Mindset; Academic and Spiritual Counselling; Drugs and Alcohol damages in Youth Life and the Role of Promoting Community Participation in the Development of Jiwaka Province.
Principal of Kingku Hitech Training Institute, Mrs Gertrude Andrias, who spoke on the topic, ‘Spiritual Entrepreneurial Mindset’ encouraged participants to be involved in entrepreneurship when they are still in school. She stressed that land is a very important resource that everyone in Jiwaka has which can support any business.
Speaking on the Role of Promoting Community Participation in the Development of Jiwaka Province was Head of Tourism and Hospitality Department of Divine Word University, Ms Theresia Kau. Kau spoke highly of tourism development in Jiwaka and highlighted ways students and graduates can be involved in to be game changers in the Province’s tourism industry.
“What do we have in Jimi, Waghi and Kambia; along our mountain ranges and river systems to offer to the tourists?” Ms Kau questioned highlighting things within Jiwaka that is vital for tourism growth.
Jiwaka Province Guidance Officer, Ps John Kui, who was in Port Moresby for Grade 12 Selection flew back to Jiwaka and spoke on the topic ‘Possessing an Excellent Spirit’. He challenged the young people to be like Daniel of the Bible and possess an incredible spirit. Mr Kui urged the young people not to be involved in any corrupt practices wherever they work in the future.
“In the crisis, people will come looking for people with incredible or excellent spirit,” Ps Kui said.
Meanwhile, the third Convention has also seen the launching of Jiwaka Students and Graduates Association and the launching of Kingku Hitech Training Institute website which was built by graduates as a community service.
