UOG REGISTERS HIGHEST GRADUANDS THIS YEAR

By Vicky BAUNKE

THE University of Goroka recently graduated a total 1175 teachers this year; highest number of graduates so far since its establishment.

According to the University Chancellor Mr Joe Wemin, this year’s 28TH graduation saw 1009 students from the education cohort graduated yesterday, and a second batch of content students graduated today, totalling 1175 students from both cohorts graduating from the University of Goroka this year.

Mr Wemin pointed out that there has been an increase in teacher’s enrollment at the University of Goroka and changes since 2023 since the current management took office in 2021 to meet the Education department’s demand of producing 1500 secondary school teachers per year.

He said this year a total 1009 teachers have graduated and with the strategic plan for 2023-2027 in place as the core business of the University, the management is prepared to meet the country’s demand in producing 1500 and up to 2000 school teachers per year by the year 2026 which would allow both content students to undergo a year post graduate studies to obtain teaching certificate in their specific fields.

Mr Wemin said, one of the strategy to increase graduates at the University of Goroka is the implementation of the 3 plus 1 module that is being implemented this year to increase number of graduates, including 4 courses to be studied each semester to ensure quality is being taught and an administration restructure to increase and train more staff to meet the total student population of 6500 enrollment at the University.

Mr Wemin also highlighted that with the country turning 50years this year the University is also challenged to prepare for the next 50 years of the institution by evaluating the past 49 years of the country since independence as the only institution in the country producing secondary school teachers to meet the education demands and working in alignment with the government policy.

Mr Wemin congratulated the graduating students whom he said met the graduating attributes in order to graduate which included good moral and behaviour practices before going out into the workforce as professional teachers.

Meantime Prime Minister James Marape was the guest of Honour at the graduation ceremony, accompanied by Eastern Highlands Governor Simon Sia, Goroka MP Aiye Tambua, Teaching Services Commission Commissioner Samson Wangihomieoe, Australian High Commission, representatives from the department of Education, the University of Goroka top management team among other invited guests and stakeholders.

Picture Caption: 28th UOG Graduation Ceremony Graduating student.