UNITECH Remembers SANA

Students and staff of the Papua New Guinea University of Technology (PNGUoT) took part in a two part program hosted by the Students Representative Senate (SRS), to commemorate Late Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare’s Remembrance Day on Monday, 26th of February.

The dawn program began with the flag raising at the Monument, followed by a walk of remembrance around the campus field, led by the Bugandi Secondary School’s Brass Band. Four stops were made along the way allowing student representatives from the regions to pay their tributes based on the theme, “Amidst Uncertainties, Unity is Our Strength”.

Francis Sakin, a final–year student from the Business Studies Department expressed his thoughts saying he was happy that the students gathered to commemorate the day. “When we continue to do similar tribute walks each year to represent and commemorate the Grand Chief, it will show how respectful we are, and that we appreciate what Grand Chief has done for this nation,” Sakin said.

The evening program took place at the Duncanson Hall which started 7p.m. 

Vice Chancellor Professor Ora Renagi paid his respects by sharing a memory of the Late Grand Chief in his speech. He said, Late Somare realized that Papua New Guineans had the potential to become engineers, politicians, scientists, lawyers, plumbers, carpenters, cleaners and could take on any role. Professor Renagi advised students to put their country first, and approach their studies for the best interest of this country as a whole.

Late Sir Micheal Somare is remembered through his principles of leadership and his character as a devoted family man not only to his home, but to Papua New Guinea as well. He wanted to preserve our culture whilst building a modern Papua New Guinea.

Senior Lecturer and Head of Department (HOD) for Communication for Development Studies (CDS) Department Dr Rachel Aisoli–Orake who was one of the guest speakers at the evening program said “SANA served from his heart and had unique leadership qualities. He was a leader not only to this nation, but also to his culture.”

She later urged students to work together to make a difference for Papua New Guinea and added that “Amidst uncertainties that confront our nation, Papua New Guineans have a responsibility to build on the right Attributes to serve our diverse tribal nation with fairness, transparency and accountability .”
While ending her speech, Dr Orake shared a scripture from the King James Version bible which resonated with the life of Late Sir Michael Thomas Somare. 

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept my faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge shall give me on that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing” (KJV – 2 Timothy 4;7–8).