The Divine Word University’s Port Moresby Campus will mark its 30th anniversary with three major activities.
The celebration will begin with a city-wide motorcade on Saturday (August 15), followed by an exhibition and entertainment program on August 21st and a corporate fundraising dinner on the 22nd.
The motorcade will launch the celebrations in Port Moresby on August 15, with decorated vehicles travelling through several parts of the city before returning to the campus.
The route will start at Islander, the Port Moresby Campus and pass through Manu, Sabama, Ela Beach, Town, Konebada Freeway, Hohola, Tokarara and Waigani and back to campus.
Students, alumni, staff, corporate organizations and members of the public are encouraged to join the motorcade, which will showcase the university’s journey, growth and development over the past three decades.
The second major event will be held at the Taurama Aquatic Centre on August 21, with an exhibition running from 9am to midday, followed by an afternoon of entertainment and cultural activities.
The exhibition will bring together sister institutions and financial organizations and will provide opportunities for students to engage with organizations on areas including internships and financial literacy.
The entertainment program will feature students representing different provinces, highlighting Papua New Guinea’s cultural diversity.
The celebrations will conclude on August 22 with a corporate fundraising dinner at the Dynasty restaurant in vision city.
The dinner will seek financial support for infrastructure development as student numbers continue to increase, as well as the need for additional teaching and administrative staff and improved accommodation.
Tables for the dinner are being sold for K5,000, with businesses, alumni and other supporters invited to participate.
Port Moresby Campus Administrator Dr. Jerome Oko said the activities were part of the university’s 30th anniversary celebrations, which recognize three decades of service to Papua New Guinea.
Speaking at a media conference on Wednesday 12 August, Dr. Oko said Divine Word University was established on August 21st, 1996, by the Catholic Church through the Divine Word Missionaries and Holy Spirit Sisters and had since grown into a leading private Catholic university with four campuses.
He said the Port Moresby Campus had developed a particular role in providing flexible learning and professional development for working Papua New Guineans, while also offering full-time business studies.
He said the anniversary was an opportunity to recognize the contribution of the university’s more than 15,000 alumni working across Papua New Guinea and the Pacific.
The celebrations are expected to bring the DWU community together while showcasing the university’s history, achievements and plans for the future.