by Juanita Nonwo – EM TV Online
Students in the Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science Association (MSCS) from the University of Papua New Guinea last Saturday took to the shores of Ela Beach to raise funds for their association.
The students hosted a barbecue, with the main aim of raising funds towards their associations’ events which will be taking place throughout the year.
“We are planning to host the ICT Seminar in week seven of next semester, which is our major event. The seminar is basically to raise awareness of information technology in line with Vision 2015. We think that it’s important people are aware of why IT is very important,” said President, Ruth Kunai.
The seminar will bring in professionals from the field of mathematics and computer science to help the students see if it is a field which they would like to pursue a career in.
The opportunity not only showcases the association but also provides an informative chance to other students and the general public of what the MSCS is about.
Ms Kunai stated that the country’s National Identity Project will require specialists from the field of MSCS and raised a concern that lack of resources, especially people with knowledge in this area, will be a hindrance to the project. They believe the awareness will help to inform the public and also for students who might be interested in the MSCS field.
“We are trying to involve as many as we can to be part of this,” said Ursula Dorum, from the association’s fundraising committee.
Another member of the fundraising committee, Tracey-Ane Bais, commented that the awareness is also giving the students motivation, and to take pride in their course.
Although the start of the year was a bit of a challenge for Miss Kunai, who said her leadership was undermined, that did not stop her sharing her big plans for the future.
“I have big dreams for this association, but everything needs funding. I would love to see things more up-to-date, in terms of software and the computers. Even the lab condition is very poor and I would like to see actual professionals in mathematics etc. and not just lectures in the field teaching. We want hands on practical [experience] and one of my hopes is that someday we’ll have a state of the art laboratory.”
Kunai added that the association will be working on a collaborative project to create a webpage for the association to make information about the association and the courses within that field available to the general public, particularly those who may be potential students.
