International visitors keen to establish links with UNRE

-
Professor Warren (second left) with the visitors. From left to right they are: Sven Batke,
Thom Dallimore, Lorena Fernadez-Martinez, Emma Dumbill (Edge Hill University);
Professor Rolf Mueller (Virginia Tech) and Jin-Ping Han (IBM TJ Watson Research Centre)

PNG University of Natural Resources and Environment on Monday welcomed academics and researchers from Edge Hill University in the United Kingdom and Virginia Tech University in the United States of America.
The visitors will spend about two weeks at the university liaising with staff and students to find collaborative links that will be of mutual benefit to their institutions and UNRE. These include possible staff and student exchange programs in future.
University Vice Chancellor Professor John Warren when welcoming the team said compared to other universities, UNRE is unique for a number of reasons.
Firstly, because its natural resources focus gives it an advantage that none of other universities have; and secondly, because it is the only university without a fence.
He said this indicates that the people are friendly and the University is located in one of the safest provinces of the country.
“The environment is conducive. That attracts other people from around the world to come to do study in trying to protect and value the natural resources that we have,” said the VC.
He proudly announced that the University for the last three years has been working well to address recommendations of the 2013 External Audit report.
He said a lot of time and effort had gone in to improve academic programs and this has raised the University’s academic standard.
Citing an example he said previously the academic performance of students were not consistent through all modules.
“A good student might only do well in one module but not others. This now has been improved and good students are performing well across all modules,” he said.
Professor Warren also announced that for the first time last week UNRE appeared on the World’s University League Table.
He said the number of PhD staff at the campus have also doubled over the last three years.
It is the unique biodiversity of Papua New Guinea that compelled the visitors to reach out to UNRE for possible collaborative links.
Lecturer Sven Batke from Edge Hill University said they hope to see some good study sites and come up with good ideas on how Edge Hill can work closely with UNRE on collaborating projects.
Professor Rolf Muller from Virginia Tech University in the United States said his research is based on Bio-inspiration, which means looking at natural system and coming up with an idea for engineering.
His current study is on bats.
Professor Muller presented an informative and inspirational talk on Bio-inspiration Designs to a packed audience at the Kokopo Science Café on Monday evening.

Popular posts from this blog

PNG UNRE to offer five new undergraduate programs

-
Image
Professor Dan Orcherton. PNG University of Natural Resources and Environment through the School of Environment and Climate Change will begin offering five new undergraduate programs in 2021. The five programs are: Degree in Environment and Climate Change; and Advanced Diploma in Environmental Health under the Department of Climate Change, Health and Development; and Degree in Renewable Energy and Environmental Engineering; Advanced Diploma in Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation; and Advanced Diploma in Environmental Engineering under the Department of Environmental Engineering. The School of Environment and Climate Change (SECC) will establish its other two departments – Department of GeoSciences and Geohazards and Department of Environmental Law - and their academic programs in the near future. For now though, SECC has been marketing its new programs to students in secondary schools in the province.  The first awareness session was conducted at Kerevat National High School on Wed
Read more

UNRE takes back UNRE Popondetta

-
Image
Oro Provincial Administration staff with UNRE officers. PNG University of Natural Resources and Environment will resume offering its Academic Programs at PNG UNRE Popondetta Campus in Oro Province next year (2021). This follows a decision by the Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (DHERST). Last week UNRE Chancellor Professor Kenneth Sumbuk and acting Pro-Vice-Chancellor Planning and Development Dr Francis Essacu, with senior staff from UNRE Popondetta Campus met with Oro Provincial Administrator Trevor Magei and executive members from the Office of Governor Garry Juffa to discuss the latest development of Popondetta Campus. In a recent interview, Dr Essacu said that a team of staff members from UNRE main Campus and Chancellor Professor Sumbuk visited the campus to see the facilities as well as to hold discussions with the Provincial Government and Popondetta campus staff on the DHERST decision.  He explained that DHERST had made a decision for UNRE to resu
Read more

UNRE launches Cocoa and Goat Integration Manual

-
Image
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 objective
Read more