By Elizah Palme – EMTV Online, Port Moresby
On a special occasion last weekend in Madang, Jiwaka graduates and students gathered at Divine Word University on Saturday, March 24th to launch the Jiwaka Students & Graduates Fellowship (JSGF).
The feeling of belonging to a community has made everyone at the university including other tertiary institutions in the vicinity of Madang, Maritime College, Madang Teachers College, Divine Word University and graduates so proud and enthusiastic.
Under the theme “Jiwaka can prosper only with God”, the launching of JSGF was made official by the Jiwaka Students & Graduates Association Inc. (JSAGA Inc) Executive Assistance Chairman, Mr Hercules Jim.
Mr Jim at the peak of his speech urged all students to live beyond their dreamt careers. To look and take responsible actions on issues affecting their communities, province and country at the large and not to confine and limit themselves.
“We cannot bring changes to Jiwaka until we work together and put God first. It is obviously true because two hands make work light and one cannot prosper without the owner’s approval or guidance. In other words, a tour without a tour guide leads nowhere, ” Event Coordinator John Ezekiel said.
Additionally, the launching coincided with the appointment of JSGF executives. The executive comprises of DWU freshman, sophomore, junior and senior students attending DWU.
The Chaplain for Divine Word University, Fr. John Ryan, was also present during the launch giving them blessings to be a light to the world.
Mr Ezekiel said he believes that with the establishment of Jiwaka Students & Graduates Fellowship in the university, Jiwaka students will actively discuss the pressing issues concerning their province and find innovative ways forward for the province.
“Though we have our own little groups, Jiwaka Club and Waghi Hawks Rugby team which exists within the university; we never had a chance to participate in an association whereby Jiwaka students from other colleges and graduates were also involved, ” Ezekiel said.
JSGF Matron Ms Kau who is the Head of Department for Hospitality and Tourism at DWU spoke highly about building a dream into reality. Being there during Jiwaka students and graduates convention at Kingkuhitech Training Institute, she saluted the leaders for making it a reality what they had discussed under a tent in Jiwaka, in December last year.
“Here is the result of your discussion, and we DWU Jiwaka community will not stand alone. We will reach out to other tertiary institutions here in Madang and invite all the Jiwaka students to be part of the fellowship, we will call team Madang,” Ms Kau said.
The team concluded the event on a high note with Mr Ezekiel officially presenting the JSGF new logo, Constitution and the Executives’ profile to Mr Jim who received it on behalf of JSAGA Inc. The cutting of a cake and light refreshment ended the launching program later in the evening.
