Papua New Guinea may have rich non-renewable resource sector, but income generated from these resources must be invested in the Forestry, Agriculture and Fisheries sectors of this nation.
These were the words of the Governor General of Papua New Guinea, His Excellency, Sir Michael Ogio, during the seventeenth graduation of the Papua New Guinea University of Natural Resource and Environment.
The ceremony was held last Friday at the Vudal campus in East New Britain province.
It was a joyful moment for all. The road leading into the university was well decorated. Students from a nearby elementary school, Police and Correctional Service officers and UNRE security and staff were all dressed up to welcome the Governor General.
Established in 1964 as an agriculture and livestock training college, UNRE now has three campuses in the nation.
The college has graduated hundreds of students over the years. Most of which are actively involved in making significant and influencing decisions in the renewable resource sectors of the Pacific region including PNG.
Over a hundred and eighty students graduated from the following categories;
• Masters Degree in Management
• Bachelor in Tropical Agriculture
• Bachelor in Fisheries Marine Resources
• Diploma in Tropical Agricultural (both Vudal and Popondetta Campuses.)
• Diploma in Fisheries Marine Resources and
• Certificate in Management Studies
Sir Ogio, said PNG is experiencing an economic boom, and many people are moving away from a subsistence life and are now living on dried and tin food.
He told graduands that more work is needed to grow the agriculture and livestock sectors of PNG to sustain the local demands of fresh fruits and vegetables.
