Diverse minds come together to plan a direction for the future

By Ms Arlene Abital

Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea - STAKEHOLDERS focused on the Technical Education for the Young in Papua New Guinea as they came together for the First Don Bosco Technological Institute Stakeholders’ Conference. The theme of the conference was “Thinking Together for Future Directions”. It was held at the Emmaus Conference Centre from 9th to 11th of July, 2015.

Over the past decade the Salesians of Don Bosco, from the Salesian Delegation of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands, have been pondering over possibilities for the future of Don Bosco Technological Institute (DBTI).  Possible options for DBTI are - a university, an institute of technology, a technical training college, a polytechnic school or a tertiary institute offering technical training courses for secondary teachers. There were also requests for DBTI to offer Engineering courses, religious education or even theology programs. The confreres of the Delegation are balancing factors of the fragile youth situation on one hand with its socio-political and economic situation on the other.

Mindful of these foregoing considerations, the Council and the Governing Board of DBTI proposed a Meeting of Stakeholders, whose main goal was to provide DBTI with clear, relevant and accurate directions, enabling DBTI to formulate a clearer vision for the next 20 years and beyond. (Rationale of the Conference, 2015)

The bringing together of different stakeholders to access problems, needs, opportunities for the future direction of DBTI seemed essential.  The conference thus provided an opportunity for the different stakeholders to share their charism, the needs of the youth and discuss possibilities for the future of DBTI.

Resource personnel representing the SDB PNG/SI Delegation, Catholic Church in PNG, government, private industry sectors, Alumni and selected members of DBTI staff were participants at the three-day conference.  The presentations and subsequent discussions provided possible scenarios, resolutions and recommendations for the future of Don Bosco Technological Institute, Papua New Guinea.

The entire spectrum of alternative papers addressed on the first day came from Bishop Franceso Panfilo SDB, DD, Catholic Bishops Conference of PNG/SI and Deputy Bishop for Education opened the sessions on the first day.  He presented a possible future for DBTI from the perspective of the Catholic Church in PNG.  The other papers presented were from: Fr. George Thadathil, SDB, Salesian Higher Education Institutions (IUS) representative, from the perspective of the IUS; Fr. Onofre Inocencio, SDB, from the Salesians of Don Bosco, Philippines North Province of Manila (FIN); Fr. Paul Jennings,MSC, National Catholic Education Board Chairman, from the perspective of PNG Catholic Education; Br. Alfred Tivinarlik, from the perspective of PNG Catholic Tertiary Education; Mr. John Karani, DHERST representative talked on DBTI’s place in the realization of National Higher and Technical Education Plan 2015-2024; Mr. Wini Leka, TVET First Assistant Secretary, DBTI’s place among TVET institutions and its place in the future; Mr. Samson Wangihomie, Teaching Service Commission Commissioner, TSC & DBTI Partnership into the future and Mr. Kinsella Geoffrey, National Training Council Director, NTC & DBTI Partnership into the future.

On the second day, the speakers were Dr. Cecilia Nembou, Divine Word University Vice-President, who talked about DWU & DBTI Partnership; Mr. Jeremy Goro, presented a University of Goroka and DBTI Partnership for Teacher Training and Development in PNG and the implications of Research on learning in Higher Institutions; Mr. Peter Cradock, from Voluntary Service Overseas spoke of international collaboration; Fr. Ariel Macatangay, SDB, DBTI Principal and Conference Coordinator, DBTI proposed pathways for Don Bosco schools in PNG following the PNG National Qualification Framework.  Unfortunately the Australia Pacific Training College (APTC), University of Papua New Guinea and University of Technology, were unable to attend the conference.  Mr. Godfrey Morisa and Mr. Alex Tausem, representatives of the Don Bosco Alumni shared their inspirational and successful stories after graduating from DBTI.

Fr. Peter Baquero, SDB, PNG/SI Delegate and DBTI President in his opening remarks outlined the fact that DBTI was the first tertiary institution in PNG offering a Bachelor in Education - Technical.  “The conference will allow the works of the Salesians of Don Bosco to be renewed and revitalized for better ministry of the young in PNG.  DBTI serves as an agent of evangelization in bringing people to Christ and to Christianize the country.  This will be the gift of Don Bosco to PNG as we celebrate the Bicentenary year of his Birth”, said Fr. Peter.

At the keynote address Minister for Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology Hon. Malakai Tabar applauded DBTI on the Stakeholders’ Conference initiative.  “I want to commend DBTI for engaging stakeholders to ‘Think together for future directions’.  I urge all higher education institutions to organize similar initiatives that all can be in harmony and speak the same language in the higher and technical education sector”, he said.  He congratulated DBTI, a Church-run Higher Education Institution, operating within the Government policies, for their 16 years of offering a two-year diploma technical training courses in five areas - Computer, Electrical, Electronics, Machine Fitting and Motor Vehicle technologies.  He thanked DBTI for taking the first bold step in initiating alignment and harmony with the government objectives as prescribed in the NHTEP 2015-2024 recently launched early this year.  “DBTI, you have done the right thing!” he said.

A voting on the following recommendations was held on the third day.   Stakeholders present voted on the following recommendations:

1. Who will be DBTI’s preferred clientele?
2. What kind of preferred graduates do we envision for DBTI?
3. What type of higher education institute do we envision DBTI to be in 2050?
4. What will be the scope of influence of DBTI in 2050?
5. What will be the outstanding feature of DBTI in 2050!

While three options were provided, the participants could also express their thoughts as a fourth option.  The Results and Evaluation forms were tabulated and will be dispatched to the participants.  DBTI looks forward to developing these to plan a vibrant future for the youth of Papua New Guinea and the Pacific Islands.

DBTI stakeholders meeting in progress

Eucharistic celebration

Fr. Peter Baquero welcoming the gathering

Group photo around the statue of Don Bosco

Mr Malachi Tabar addresses the gathering