PNG UNRE News

THE leadership role he performed while studying at PNG UNRE has unlocked his potential to lead and drive the research team to all NBPOL sites. Mr Paulus Kikitam, a graduate of PNG UNRE, now a Research Supervisor (Precision Agriculture) under New Britain Palm Oil Limited’s Technical Services Division at Dami Research Station, West New Britain Province.  His main duties are to supervise and undertake duties associated with one or more oil palm agronomy research in all NBPOL sites in PNG and Solomon Islands.  Mr Kikitam graduated with a Bachelor in Tropical Agriculture. As SRC President in 2020 he was able to lead the students well despite the challenges he faced as a leader.  He said the leadership responsibility prepared him for life after UNRE.  “Playing an important role as SRC president in 2020 improved my decision-making and time management skills. The leadership role unlocked my potential to lead and drive the research team to all NBPOL sites,” said Mr Kikitam....

NARI Kerevat Research Leader Godfrey Hannet launches the new Goat training manual as Acting PVC Academic & Research Peter Navus (right) looks on.  PNG University of Natural Resources and Environment through its farmer training centre has launched the Cocoa and Goat Integration Training Manual and opened a Goat Breeding Centre. The event, which was held last month was attended by university staff; representatives from NARI, NAQIA and PNG Cocoa Board; James Butubu Area Manager ACIAR Bougainville; and acting Pro Vice Chancellor Academic and Research Mr Peter Navus. Speaking on behalf of the University, Mr Navus thanked the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) for having confidence in UNRE as one of its partners, the University Farmer Training Centre, Kairak Centre for Sustainable Rural Development (KCfSRD) for the implementation of the project objectives and the other collaborating partners. Mr Navus is confident that the Centre has achieved its object...

PNG UNRE has contributed to the formulation of a National Policy on Blue Carbon in PNG. UNRE Vice-Chancellor Professor Aisak Pue and two academics - Daniel Waldi from the School of Natural Resources (Forestry Department) and Jason Paliau from the School of Environment & Climate Change represented the University at the recent National Stakeholders Blue Carbon Workshop at the Hilton Hotel in Port Moresby. The objectives of the Blue Carbon Workshop were to:  ● assess Papua New Guinea’s current status on Blue Carbon Activities  ● inform decision makers on the challenges and the opportunities of addressing blue carbon activities in PNG  ● strengthen coordination roles amongst stakeholders and  ● reaffirm key action priorities and guidance from stakeholders for Government consideration.  Mr Waldi explained that Blue Carbon refers to the role of coastal ecosystems particularly mangrove forests, seagrass meadows, and tidal salt marshes and estuaries...

A TARGET set by the University Farm for rice seeds multiplication was achieved last week with over 200 kilograms of rice harvested and milled. UNRE Farm Manager Alex Nugi said from the 2kg seeds received, the crops section harvested and milled 200 kilograms. 150 kilograms were milled for consumption and sold for K4 per kg whilst 50kgs were kept as seeds. The rice variety Taichung Sen 10 (TCS 10) was delivered by Taiwan Technical Missions last year purposely for UNRE Farm to set up a rice distribution centre to supply farmers throughout the country. The seeds were delivered by Dr Caleb Manamik Breria, an alumnus of National Pingtung University of Science and Technology in Taiwan on behalf of the Technical Mission. This variety is suitable for PNG, in terms of quality and taste. It is highly nutritious and the most successful variety in PNG that has been trailed by the National Agricultural Research Institute. The plan was for the University to cultivate that 2kg to multiply the rice see...

UNRE Estates & Services Manager Mike Ambrose (second from right) receives the power tiller from Head of Taiwan Missions in PNG, Mr. Chin Yu Lee. Looking on is Dr Caleb Breria (right).   AGRICULTURAL training institutions like PNG University of Natural Resources and Environment need to provide training in commercial and large-scale agriculture. Acting Dean of the University’s School of Natural Resources and Head of the Department of Agriculture, Peter Navus, said this earlier this month at the handover ceremony of a power tiller donated by the Taiwan Technical Mission (TTM) in Lae. Mr Navus said until Papua New Guinea develops its commercial agriculture, it cannot compete with the agriculture industry of countries like Australia. He said with this focus in mind, it is important that institutions expose students to the latest agriculture technology; and have agriculture machinery such as the power tiller and others, that students can be taught how to use to increase fa...

PNG UNRE Vice-Chancellor Professor Aisak Pue has called on students to look after university facilities. The VC told students in his message to them at the Orientation Welcome last week that over the last five years, the University has spent millions of Kina to renovate dormitories. He said the money could be used for other developments in the university. He said as a university student you are expected to perform at a certain level even coming from rural areas.  “These are things that we want you to look after as a responsible citizen of this country. Apart from these, other infrastructure are being upgraded, repaired or built to cater for the University’s growth,” said Professor Pue. Acting Dean of the Centre  for Graduate Studies &  Research, Dr Nason Pue. Meanwhile, acting Dean of the Centre for Graduate Studies & Research Dr Nason Pue who gave the Keynote Address at the Orientation program, told new students that they h...