Taiwan Technical Mission donates power tiller to PNG UNRE
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).
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 farm
productivity.
Thanking TTM
for the donation, he said he looked forward to seeing the Taiwan-PNG UNRE partnership,
positively contribute to the University’s teaching, learning and research objectives,
and ultimately its Vision and Mission.
 |
| Mr Ambrose hands over the power tiller to Farm Manager Alex Nugi (left) while Acting Dean of the School of Natural Resources Peter Navus (right) and others look on. |
He said over
the last 18 months, the farm has been working to improve capacity in terms of
new machinery, equipment and innovation to support academic programs, so the
power tiller is a welcome donation that is well appreciated.
“I would like
to extend our gratitude to the Taiwanese Embassy for meeting this need,” he
said.
 |
| Final year Agricultural Student Sebulon Porikura demonstrates how to use the power tiller. Sebulon was one of three students attached to the Taiwan Technical Mission in Lae last year for their Industrial Training. |
He said it is
important that students are taught how to operate such machinery because
agricultural technology has evolved.
“We have to
have these machines on site so students can learn,” he said.
The power
tiller was received from Head of Taiwan Missions in PNG, Mr. Chin Yu Lee and Taiwan
Missions Technical Assistant, Mr. Fabio Liu Hung Tse by UNRE Estates &
Services Manager Mike Ambrose and Dr Breria in Lae in March this year.
He conveyed
TTM’s desire that the power tiller is looked after and used to benefit the
University’s academic functions.
This is not the first time Taiwanese Embassy has assisted the University. Last year, it donated various vegetable seeds.
Three agriculture students were also attached to TTM from November 2021 to February 2022 for their Industrial Training; and earlier th
Dr Breria said up
to ten scholarship spaces will be awarded to University staff and students every
year in two universities in Taiwan.
