-Bro. Bernard Kaiau, SDB

Kumgi:Four hundred and forty students graduated on Friday, 30thNovember 2018 at the Don Bosco Simbu Technical College (DBSTC) in Kumgi.

In line with the recent APEC Summit, the 21stgraduation ceremony took as its theme: “The Bosconians for Economic Development and Progress.”

The gymnasium of DBSTC was packed to capacity by parents, guardians, benefactors, friends, families and loved ones of the graduating students to witness the ceremony.

Highlighting this event, the graduating students marched proudly from the statue of Don Bosco to the ceremony hall - Don Bosco Gym, carrying the flag of Papua New Guinea and Simbu province.

The graduation ceremony commenced at 9:30am with the National Anthem sung by the graduates and the Pledge. This was led by SRC Vice President, Mercy Mondowa. Sr. Alice Lonappan, Superior of Sisters of St. Anne led the Opening Prayer followed by Welcome address by Fr. Robinson Parappilly, SDB Rector/Principal. Rev. Bishop Anton Bal, of Kundiawa Diocese addressed the parents and Graduands and encouraged them to take up personal responsibility for the development of this nation.

Many deserving students received gold and silver medals and certificates as awards for excellence in Religious instruction, behaviour, perfect attendance, and service, technical and academic excellence. The awardees marched to the stage accompanied by their parents.

DBSTC is one of the pioneering institutions in the country to follow the National Qualification Framework and set international standards in the country in Technical training. At the end of the year every student receives a certificate as per the Competency Based Training and Assessment (CBTA) standards. The students were presented with Certificates of DIPLOMA in Business Studies, Certificates in Business Studies, NC1, NC2 and NC3.

The graduating students hail from different regions of the country.