Largest intake of students at Pacific Adventist University

Port Moresby, PNG | Kym Piez

Pacific Adventist University (PAU) has accepted its largest enrolment since opening its doors in 1984.

At the February 27 convocation ceremony, vice chancellor Professor Lohi Matainaho welcomed 635 new students to PAU, the largest intake of first-years in the past 39 years.

“We welcome all our first-year students and want them to know our team is committed to providing them holistic education and experiences that will enable them to develop who they are, and who they will grow to be throughout their life,” Professor Matainaho said.

After seven additional students graduated during the convocation, deputy vice-chancellor Professor Lalen Simeon declared that “a record high of 269 students graduated in 2022”.

Over the year end, more than 2800 applications were submitted to study at PAU this year.

With total enrolment now over 1700, an asset master plan is being developed for growth, with an investment in physical infrastructure, staff expansion and housing, student accommodation, digital technology, online training and other services to support the expected increase in student enrolment.

A new Act has been approved to replace the current PAU Act (1997). It is envisaged that the new Act will strengthen the key elements of: Pacific focus, the Adventist brand of education and training based on biblical principles, and the excellence in university teaching and learning as paramount.

Council recently approved in-principle the PAU Strategic Plan to govern the growth and transformation of PAU over the next 10 years, focusing on Excellence and Growth, People and Culture, Research and Commercialisation, and Community Partnerships.

“We want our students to pursue knowledge, make a difference and be an inspiration to others,” said Professor Matainaho. “We know we can call upon our students to experience and show others what they stand for, strive to find their purpose in life, serve God and others, and be global changers.

“With what our students gain at PAU, they will be expected to give back service to their community, their country/ies and their God. We know our students will go out and make a difference to their community and be global change-makers.”

Media the focus of meetings in PNG

Lae, PNG | Record Staff

Three leaders from Adventist Media visited the Papua New Guinea Union Mission (PNGUM) headquarters on March 7 to discuss existing projects and to look at new opportunities in media and communications.

CEO Dr Brad Kemp, CFO Shaun Lorentz and head of news and editorial Tracey Bridcutt met with Union leaders to consider a variety of projects, including radio and TV, godpods, literature ministry, church branding, digital discipleship and support for the 2024 PNG for Christ program.

“It was great to connect in-person with leadership of PNGUM again and to look at ways we can provide meaningful support for the mission of the Church in PNG,” Dr Kemp said.

Mrs Bridcutt spent a day at Pacific Adventist University (PAU), where she presented a workshop on how to effectively communicate at a time of misinformation and fake news, and the power of story.

“It was amazing to visit the beautiful PAU campus for the first time,” Mrs Bridcutt said. “And it was important to get a better understanding of the challenges that the university is facing— essentially the need for more staffing resources and better infrastructure to cater for the rapid growth in student numbers.”