Divine Word University (DWU) has strengthened its online presence recently with the launch of its new university website, designed to reinforce its capacity to communicate and engage with students, staff, alumni, partners, and the wider community.
The website project was implemented under the DWU Office of the Vice President for Planning and Development, Mrs. Julie Ruene, through the DWU Marketing Division. This is part of the University’s strategic efforts to modernize its digital services and strengthen its online presence.
The launch ceremony, held at the DWU Madang Campus, brought together members of the University Executive, staff, students, and invited guests to witness the unveiling of the new platform.
Opening the event, Director of the DWU Marketing Division, Ms. Deborah Pranis, welcomed guests and described the launch as an important step in strengthening the University’s communication with its stakeholders.
DWU President, Professor Fr. Philip Gibbs, said the new website would better showcase the University’s identity, achievements, and mission while supporting its vision for the future.
“This new website gives us an opportunity to tell the DWU story more clearly—a story of quality education, research, community engagement, Christian values, and integral human development. It allows us to share our programs, our achievements, our services, and our hopes for the future,” Professor Fr. Gibbs said.
He added that the University remains committed to innovation and continuous improvement by embracing digital solutions that support teaching, learning, research, and institutional development.
DWU Website Development Manager, Mr. Apsie Tese, acknowledged the University President and Executive Management for entrusting the project to him and his team. He noted that the development process took nearly seven months to complete.
Mr. Tese paid tribute to the previous website team for laying the foundation on which the new platform was built and thanked all DWU campuses, Campus Administrators, Faculties, and content contributors for their collaboration. He also commended the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) team for providing the infrastructure that enabled the successful implementation of the new system.
“The launch marks a significant step in the University’s journey towards digital transformation. The new website builds upon the foundation of the previous platform while preparing for future integrations. Our team remains committed to strengthening DWU’s presence in the digital space and ensuring the platform continues to evolve to meet the University’s future needs,” Mr. Tese said.
DWU Website Team Lead, Mr. Bernard Antwi-Gyimah, encouraged students, staff, alumni, and other users to provide feedback on the new website, emphasizing that continuous improvement would ensure the platform evolves to meet the changing needs of the University community.
“The website is not the end of the journey but the beginning of continuous improvement. We welcome constructive feedback as we continue to refine, optimize, and enhance the platform to provide a better digital experience for everyone,” Mr. Antwi-Gyimah said.
DWU Director of Information and Communication Technology, Mr. Benjamin Cheong, said the platform would strengthen the University’s ability to connect, communicate, and serve its stakeholders in an increasingly digital environment.
He also acknowledged the dedication and collaborative efforts of both the Marketing Division’s Website Development Team and the ICT team in successfully delivering the project, noting that their teamwork, professionalism, and commitment were instrumental to the successful launch of the new platform.
The highlight of the ceremony was the official launch of the new website, marked by a countdown and live demonstration led by Professor Fr. Philip Gibbs alongside the website project team. The demonstration showcased the website’s modern features, improved functionality, intuitive navigation, and user-friendly design, reflecting the University’s continued commitment to embracing innovation and emerging technologies.
The new website represents a significant investment in Divine Word University’s digital future, providing a modern platform that supports information sharing, academic services, stakeholder engagement, and future digital innovation throughout the University.
