Lincoln University and the Lincoln University Pacific Students’ Association hosted the Papua New Guinea (PNG) 44th Independence Celebration on 14 September, with the event featuring prayer, speeches and cultural dance.
Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Bruce McKenzie told the gathering that PNG was the first Pacific nation to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Lincoln in 2010.
He said it marked the first major educational initiative of the university in the Pacific.
Known as LincWantok, or “speaking with one voice”, the MOU led to a stream of PNG students studying environment, forestry, tourism, rural development agriculture and agribusiness at Lincoln University.
“They flowed in the footsteps of earlier students from PNG who came to Lincoln in smaller numbers under arrangements such as the New Zealand Aid Scholarships,” Professor McKenzie said.
One former alumnus, Taboi Awi Yoto, is today MP for PNG’s Western Province, and the provincial governor.
Lincoln has 14 students from PNG enrolled currently.
Professor McKenzie said there had always been a place for PNG students at Lincoln and they would always be welcome.
The celebration, held at the Lincoln Events Centre, included cultural dances from around PNG, with performers coming from as far as Wellington and the University of Waikato. PNG Christchurch community children sang their country’s national anthem and there was also a fashion show and a dinner.