Tears of joy ran from their eyes: The 42nd Graduation Ceremony of the Papua New Guinea University of Technology

Garry Sali

In the May 2010 issue, I presented some reflections of how first year students” applications to study in different academic departments and disciplines are considered and selected here at the Papua New Guinea of University Technology (UNITECH). Whoever is considered and selected to do first year at UNITECH is in fact beginning a new chapter in his or her life “pursuing an academic education at an important university which has a great culture of academic excellence. After 4 years of studies at UNITECH, a student is expected to graduate with a degree in his or her discipline of studies.

On 23rd April 2010, the UNITECH held its 42nd Graduation Ceremony that saw more than 1000 students from not only PNG but also from neighbouring Solomon Islands and Vanuatu graduating with their certificates, diplomas, degrees and Masters in different academic fields. It was a colourful event and a fitting way to close a chapter of a student learning at this university that will be remembered for a while.

This photo shows a female cultural group getting ready to perform. Professor Golam Rahman of Language & Communication Studies Department seemed to enjoy the accompaniment of these beautiful girls. (Source: Golam Rahman, 2010)

The graduation ceremony was a day of celebration for students who have laboured their time, effort, and energy to commit themselves to studies. It was a day in which the moment of success was measured by the warm happiness and joy of achievement.

This achievement is not only for the students but for the parents, brothers and sisters, relatives and the community at large. Tears of joy ran from the eyes of some parents and graduating students when they knew that they had completed their studies at UNITECH; this event itself was indeed a special event.

This photo shows Mr Boase Bangita (in front) and Mr Nick Kewa (second) who got their Masters of Philosophy in Agriculture, getting themselves ready to lead the parade into the graduating hall. (Source: Mr Thomas Kambi 2010)

The graduation parade was lead by a brave and highly spirited group of young dancers from an island of PNG who displayed their culture to the big crowd. While the crowd's attention was attracted by this display of unique culture, as though it was
the main event, the graduating students proudly walked slowly to the makeshift hall “which was purpose built for the graduation “and took their seats one by one until everyone was seated. The graduands were followed by the university council members, invited guests (including the Acting Prime Minister), academic heads of departments and teaching staffing in that order.

While the university council members and departmental heads made the way up to the platform and were seated behind the podium, the invited guests and the teaching staff took their seats at the side of the official platform. The PNG national anthem was sung immediately after everyone in the hall found their seats and then the official graduation program began.

This photo shows part of the graduation procession moving slowly into the graduation hall as relatives enjoy every moment of the parade. (Source: Thomas Kambi, 2010)

After a few speeches, the graduands were called to receive their certificates, diplomas, degrees and higher degree papers. While the graduands went up to the stage one by one to receive their papers, I saw some of the parents “many of whom were uneducated and illiterate “were in fact very emotional, with tears running down their faces.

In PNG and other pacific island countries, the parents usually raise their children and make so much financial commitment and support, often under trying and difficult circumstances. To sit back and witness a graduation ceremony at a university while their sons and daughters proudly go up to the podium to receive their certificates, diplomas and degrees, is just fitting enough to let tears of joy run from their eyes.

This photo shows part of the crowd of graduands seated for the official ceremony. (Source: Golam Rahman, 2010).

While the official graduation ceremony ended after three hours, the celebrations did not end there. Each of the graduating students” parents had prepared a feast of some kind, and they went in their small groups to different parts of Lae for more celebration with dance and music and, for some, lots of beer “ Papua New Guinea style.