By Vivian Nesen
photo by Karl Valmonte

Port Moresby, PNG, 22 November 2018 -- Once a Bosconian, Always a Bosconianwas the memorable concluding phrase of Don Bosco Technological Institute’s ninety (90) graduands as they pledged loyalty to DBTI during the graduation ceremony. The 17th graduation Rites with the theme Transforming the Society through Bosconian Idealswas held on Thursday the 22nd of November in the institute’s gymnasium. DBTI under the Divine Word University’s program, awarded ten (10) students with a Diploma in Technical and eighty (80) with a Bachelor of Education-Technical in Computer, Electrical, Electronics, Machine Fitting and Machining and Motor Vehicle Technologies respectively.

Besides family and friends of graduands, Invited guests included representatives from the Salesian and FMA community, Divine Word University, the Department of Education, School Head teachers and sponsors and the media. Key note speaker, Mr. Wini Leka, acting Deputy Secretary Technical Vocational Education Training whilst congratulating the graduands for choosing the technical career path, encouraged them to take up the challenge to teach their specialized trades. Mr. Leka commended DBTI for its contributions in training the much needed technical work force to meet the country’s ever increasing short falls.

Salesians’ Provincial Superior of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands and Chairman of DBTI’s Governing Board, Fr. Alfred Maravilla, SDB and the Principal of the Institute Dr. Catherine Nongkas, were on hand to formally hand over the Bachelor of Education-Technical graduates to the Teaching Services Commission representative, Mr. Maine Ugaia, Principal Advisor Appointments who received them on behalf of the Commission into the teaching profession.

In his closing remarks, the Acting Rector of DBTI, Fr. Clifford Morais, SDB, challenged graduands to uphold the values and aspirations of St. John Bosco the founder of all Don Bosco Schools worldwide and most of all to be agents of change as noted in their very own choice of the graduation theme: Transforming the Society through Bosconian Ideals.

In her speech on behalf of the graduating students, Tabitha Tiopili a recipient of the Literary Award, reminded fellow graduands to maintain the Salesian Spirituality.

The ceremony ended with an acknowledgement to the sponsors of the Best in Technology awards; Boroko Motors, Bishop Brothers, Digitec PNG Limited, Goodwill Constructions, Mix Travel Agencies, Octagon Communications, Steel Industries Limited, RAD-TEL (PNG) and Theodist Stationeries.

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