Tourism students farewelled in Simbu
The
Tourism students who were attached to MENCERTC with their certificates. From
left to right: Cosmas Kas, Joyce Anne Pue, Phil Foxy, Nigel Jaima and Anatolia
Siwat.
Nigel Jaima, Anatolia Siwat, Phil Foxy, Joyce Anne Pue and Cosmas Kas who are Bachelor in Sustainable International Tourism (BSIT) students, were attached with Mauberema Ecotourism Nature Conservation Education Research & Training Centre (MENCERTC) in Dinima Village, Tabare LLG in Simbu’s Sinasina Yongomulg District.
They were dressed in traditional Simbu attire and given a huge farewell by the local community.
Speaking on behalf of the students, Nigel Jaima said they had undertaken various projects in the community which started with feasibility studies, then identifying targeted markets for Mauberema tourism products and developing management strategies to protect Mauberema’s natural resources.
He said his project was on Ecoadventure Tourism; while his peers looked at other aspects of tourism. Anatolia looked at Ecocultural Tourism; Phil concentrated on Voluntary Tourism; Joyce focused on Endangered Wildlife Tourism while Cosmas dedicated his time there to Agro Tourism.
MENCERTC Director Moses Kerry and Program Manager Moses John supervised the students.
Joyce Pue said as pioneers of the BSIT program, they took up the challenge to do their work experience in Simbu so that they will have a different understanding of tourism when they return to UNRE for their final year of studies.
She said with the experience they gained, they will be able to positively influence other students to go to places like Mauberema to undertake more research in order to protect its forests from deforestation, prevent the loss of endangered wildlife species, prevent the loss of culture, create adventurous tourism packages and introduce agricultural crops that are being imported.
“The best thing about developing tourism products here in Mauberema was that it is a small set up which made us comfortable and feel welcome. The community is friendly and outgoing and they made us feel at home,” she said.
Joyce said the highlight of the training for her was experiencing long hikes up the mountain, not forgetting a memorable epic hike that we took up to the lakes of Mt Wilhelm. It was the best experience.
Paul Kalne who represented Ward 8 of the Mauberema Community thanked the five students for the eight weeks they spent there and asked them to promote Mauberema so that many more students could return to help them.
Mauberema Conservation Chairman Jeff Dinoge also thanked the students for their contributions and urged them to remember and promote Mauberema.
The five students were presented with certificates of appreciation for their contribution to MENCERTC.
The certificates were signed by Mr Kerry, Maurice Knight representing USAID PNG Biodiversity Lukautim Graun Program and Country Director of the PNG Wildlife Conservation Society Dr Adrian Tejedor.
Mr Kerry said MENCERTC looks forward to receiving more UNRE students this year and in future.
IT is a requirement for third-year students to expose them to the work environment to enable them to develop important practical skills. It usually takes place from December to February.
The students are required to submit a report after their training.
