By Vasinatta Yama – EM TV, Port Moresby
A total of seven PNG students will go to the Philippines to undergo Commercial Pilot Training for 11 months at the Aero Equipt Aviation Flight Academy (AEA).
They have pledged to behave and abide by the rules. To formalise their pledge, they signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) yesterday with the Flight Academy.
The objectives of the MoA were to promote a transparent relationship among the flight academy and their sponsors to enhance trust and honesty. This was also to minimise misconduct and abstain from other illegal activities.
AEA Vice President of International Operations, Captain Bruce Paki, said that this initiative was taken in light of the recent incidents involving Papua New Guineans studying in the Philippines.
The MoA outlined the code of conduct as students; which stated that students must be honest with their studies, avoid alcohol and drug abuse, violence and sexual assault and many others.
If the code of conduct is violated then they will be deported back to PNG.
One of the Pilot students, Victoria Yopoi was pleased in the support her sponsors had given her. She was happy to sign the MoA, abide by the rules and strive to keep a good reputation whilst studying overseas.
In the absence of the Philippines Ambassador to witness the signing of the MoA, his personal Secretary, Biena Pohani attended. There were words of encouragement for the aspiring students.
They were told to be good ambassadors of their parents, sponsors, and the country. Also present to witness the MoA was former PNG ambassador to USA, Evan Paki.
He told the students that the negative reports about PNG students in the Philippines in the media can have negative impacts on the diplomatic ties between the two countries and therefore encouraged students to do what is expected of them.
More than 300 students received their acceptance letters for pilot training, however, some are still seeking for sponsors.
