The University of the South Pacific at its 92nd Council meeting on Friday 12th November, 2021 unanimously appointed the Honourable Dr. Hilda Cathy Heine to the Office of the Pro-Chancellor and Chair of Council for a three-year term commencing 1st January 2022 until 31st December 2024. The Hon. Dr. Hilda Heine is a renowned Marshallese educator and is no stranger to the University of the South Pacific having served as its 26th Chancellor from 1 July 2019 to 12 January 2020. Dr. Heine was the first female President of the Republic of the Marshall Islands serving from 2016 to 2020. She attained an Educational Doctorate from the University of Southern California in 2004 and is the first person from the Marshall Islands to attain a Doctorate degree. Her Master’s degree is from the University of Hawaii and her undergraduate degree from the University of Oregon. She has had an illustrious career and has a particular passion for Climate Action and Women’s Rights. Dr. Heine is the recipient of an array of Awards, Honorary Achievements and has published widely on Education in the Pacific. Dr. Heine is currently one of five international members to the East-West Centre in Honolulu representing the Pacific Islands. She serves as an advisor, officer and member of multiple task forces, committees and working groups such as the Club DeMadrid International, 1Million Women and Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN) International to name just a few. The University of the South Pacific is extremely fortunate and honoured that such an eminent educationalist and politician with impeccable credentials will assume the role of Pro-Chancellor and Chair of Council as the University embarks into the next phase of its development.

The Police Crimes Division launched on Monday a new police clearance certificate with security features. Assistant Commissioner Crimes Hodges Ette said the issuance of the new certificates will prevent false police clearance certificates from being issued. The new Police Clearance Certificate which was launched at the Crime Division conference room at the police headquarters in Port Moresby was witnessed by senior police officers as well as staff from the Crimes Division and the Interpol. Mr Ette said the new police clearance certificate came into effect on Monday 15 November. Certificates issued prior will remain valid until March, 2022. He said the RPNGC is changing the old police clearance certificate that has been used for the last 46 years since independence. “The old format of producing police clearance certificates has been abused, and fraudulently used. People are printing them outside of the actual established system. We have fraudsters producing police clearance certificates fraudulently. The constabulary has been accused of facilitating or fraudulently producing false documents,” Mr Ette said. Mr Ette however said that the police clearance certificate was previously done at a small administrative fee of K10.00 which was increased to K65.00 this year. He said Police make about K9,000.00 per day especially from the applications received in the National Capital District. He added that so far this year the Constabulary was able to collect K800,000.00 in police clearance fees. “This particular certificate comes in three categories one for citizens, another one for expatriates and we also developed for PMVs as well. I am sure Motor Vehicle Insurance Limited (MVIL) and the transport sector will also be interested,” Mr Ette said, adding that certain categories would be put in with a reasonable fee at a future date. For instance, a person trying to get a job as a security guard will pay K65.00 but if they are trying to become the head of a government department they may pay up to K1,000.00 for the certificate. Mr Ette said police are in the process of developing a work base system that can be accessed anywhere in the country. This system will also be of interest to various stakeholders including the National Statistical Office (NSO), Foreign Affairs and others. Mr Ette said the new certificate with the security features will cost zero kina to develop.

Located North off Kavieng on the Island of New Hanover is Meteselen. It takes two hours by speed boat to get  there. An isolated part of New Ireland, the people there often have to travel long and expensive boat trips to access basic services. Even the simple pleasures like rice, milo and coffee have often been hard to come by. But that’s all about to change thanks to a local called Baslogo Silaubara. Silaubara undertook specialized agriculture training in East New Britain where he learned how to cultivate rice and downstream commodities like Cacao, Coffee and Cassava. Before long he was back on New Hanover and teaching his people how to cultivate rice and process Cacao, Coffee and Cassava. “Now my people don’t have to travel long distances to look for rice, milo or coffee, we can make it ourselves now,” said Silaubara. To mark this milestone achievement a special launching ceremony was held on Thursday 11th  of  November.  Present to witness the occasion was New Ireland Governor Sir Julius Chan, Deputy Governor and Chairman for Natural Resources Sammy Missen, Chairperson assisting the Governor in Finance Misbil Nelson, Education CEO Apelis Benson and special Guests, Veteran Broadcast Journalist John Eggins with EMTV News Director Sincha Dimara and Cameraman. With the area also being a trouble zone with inter -group fighting resulting in many lives lost, Sir Julius Chan was encouraged to learn that the locals had now decided to re-direct their energy to something more worthwhile like rice cultivation and other Agriculture projects. “I congratulate you all for your bravery to take back Lavongai and cement lasting peace by reintroducing self-reliance and autonomy in Agriculture and the cash economy. You must make New Hanover great again, “said Sir J. To encourage the farmers the New Ireland Government through its Division of Primary Industries assisted the Lerina farming association with two rice mills. “Agriculture is our backbone and with today’s challenges like climate change food security is an issue we need to address. We want to work with you so that you can help yourselves. The extra you have, you can sell to others,” said Director DPI Gideon Bogosia. It was impressive to note up to six, 60kg bags of rice displayed at the front of the stage before the ribbon cutting ceremony which also saw a rice milling demonstration using the new mill. A close to 20 minute walk from the main village brings you to the first 2 hectare rice plot owned by farmer Salatiel Suirule. He was very happy to show off his well nurtured rice plot. There are at least 20 other rice plots scattered throughout the wards. Local and CEO for Education Apelis Benson also encouraged the locals to take education seriously and to uphold the Malagan and New Ireland Declarations as a  guide to move New Ireland forward. The visitors were also able to taste the cooked rice, with Veteran Journalist John Eggins giving his vote of confidence about how great the rice tasted.

After losing her mum at age seven, Sister Helen Gando started caring for her two younger siblings on Misima Island, Milne Bay Province. She was the first to wipe away tears and bandage wounds using traditional remedies – early signs of the caring nature that would eventually lead her to become a nurse. “Many people found cleaning wounds appalling,” Sr Gando recalled, “but for me it was through seeing my little ones smiling again after I tended to a grazed leg or a scratched arm that I knew I wanted to serve others.” For more than a decade Sr Gando has served as a nurse at Milne Bay’s East Cape Health Centre – a major referral point for Alotau General Hospital from East Fergusson, Normanby Island and Losuia. The health centre provides important medical triage for patients before they can get to the hospital, but for many months staff were challenged by insufficient water supply for the outpatient clinic, labour room and patient laundry. Water was often fetched in bowls for handwashing and cleaning medical equipment which presented a major risk to the transmission of diseases, including Covid-19. Today Sr Gando and her team are seeing positive changes through a United Church of PNG project that included installation of a 9,000-litre water tank. The upgrade was supported by the Australian Government through the Church Partnership Program and includes gutters, water pipes, sinks and a solar powered pump to provide clean, safe and efficient access to water throughout the health centre. “The new equipment has helped us immensely. It cuts down on time as we no longer have to go out and fetch water to attend to the sick, including mothers giving birth,” Sr Gando said. “In our job every minute saved can also save a life”. This project also included vital community awareness on COVID-19 with church leaders, health workers and community leaders. East Cape Health Centre is among 80 institutions – including schools and health centres – across the country which have received Church Partnership Program supported water, sanitation and hygiene facilities to promote COVID-19 safety measures and protect communities from the potentially devastating impacts of the pandemic. The Church Partnership Program is a partnership between PNG and Australia that supports churches to improve their capacity to deliver crucial services, including health care in remote areas, and strengthening resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic.

More than 800 teachers in West New Britain have taken part in professional development and are better able to support their students to improve their reading and writing. To support more effective teaching, the Pikinini Kisim Save (PKS) project has provided teachers at 353 West New Britain schools with professional development, teaching and learning materials, and other classroom resources. The PKS project is supported through the Papua New Guinea - Australia Partnership and delivered by CARE international and the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA). Among those trained was Philomina Morris, head teacher at Kapore Elementary in Talasea District, who said there have been great changes in student learning since the trainings were delivered. “Our preparatory classes can read and identify words through sounding,” she said. “Teachers use different teaching strategies to teach their students reading and writing, and students are now more confident to sound out and blend words to form sentences”. “This is the result of teachers using their scripted lessons and applying literacy teaching strategies.” The PKS project addresses gaps in education by strengthening skills of teachers and supporting community leaders, education stakeholders and service providers to promote quality early grade education. It includes professional development for teachers, teaching and learning resources for schools, school leadership training and adult literacy programs. “The training made a big impact on both the teachers and to the students,” Ms Morris continued. “We have improved our ways of setting up our classrooms for teaching and learning and using our Standards Based Curriculum daily lessons and programs.” Since 2019, more than 5,200 teachers have received training through the PKS project, benefitting more than 82,000 children across Western Highlands, Jiwaka, Simbu and West New Britain provinces.

The University of the South Pacific's (USP) Institute of Applied Sciences (IAS) and the Biosecurity Authority of Fiji (BAF) signed an operational arrangement to strengthen Fiji's capability in detecting marine invasion and enhancing marine environment by monitoring high-risk marine invasive alien species (MIAS). This forms an integral part of the Pacific Islands Marine Bioinvasions Alert Network Project (PACMAN Project). The signing of the Pacific Islands Marine Bioinvasions Alert Network (PACMAN) Project Operational Arrangement Agreement took place on 10 November 2021 at USP’s Marine Science Conference Room. The PACMAN Project is a collaboration of USP's - IAS, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) through its coordination team at the Ocean Biodiversity Information Systems (OBIS). BAF’s Acting CEO, Surend Pratap, said BAF would collaborate with USP-IAS to strengthen this research further by providing its high-class quantitative Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) facility for use to improve the PACMAN Project's planned outcomes. The qPCR machines enable real-time identification of multiple DNA regions or genes to identify an organism in a sample. The application is widely used in pathogen and virus diagnostics, e.g. for COVID-19 screening and gene expression studies to find out disease markers for research into potential therapeutic drugs that inhibit them. He said the USP - IAS team would utilise this equipment to identify target MIAS priority species consolidated from literature review and extensive consultations. "Because the qPCR analysis is such an important part of a scientific technique, it would necessitate the appropriate equipment for this trial study," he said. According to Mr Pratap, this relationship will result in a win-win situation for both institutions to build technical and management capacity in the early detection, identification, control, and where necessary, the implementation of appropriate eradication measures of marine invasive alien species. "Most importantly, it will significantly increase the ability to detect marine invasive species and to quickly deploy appropriate mitigation measures to address the problems caused by these species," he added. He stated that BAF was pleased to join USP- IAS on this initiative. USP-IAS Acting Director, Dr Isoa Korovulavula, thanked BAF for their cooperation and support, noting the signing was in line with USP's continuous support of BAF’s activities such as the processing of research samples sent and received, including initiatives like the GEF 6 Fiji Invasive Alien Species (IAS) Project. "Implementing PACMAN (Project) entails not just the project itself, but also capacity building with BAF, particularly when it is required and data analysis sharing," he explained. Dr Korovulavula expressed his gratitude to the USP team who have been part of implementing the PACMAN project. "I believe our team is championing groundbreaking work, and we will continue to work with BAF and other partners on the implementation of this project and any future projects in biodiversity conservation and protection of marine and terrestrial environments", he added.

While a lot of activities have gone on hold due to Covid restrictions, the Port Moresby Nature Park, utilizing the advantage of its 30 acre land space, has come up with a fun yet educational activity to reward its visitors and supporters. The Nature Park’s current promotion connects people to wildlife through a Locate & Win Selfie Sticker challenge, which is Covid Safe and self-directed. There are four exclusive wildlife stickers placed in various locations around the Park for visitors to locate and take ‘selfies’ with in order to participate in the promotion. Participants are required to upload their ‘4 Selfies’ infront of the wildlife stickers onto Port Moresby Nature Park’s Facebook Page, tagging as many friends as they can. The activity has fast become a favourite among kids; hence parents and guardians are welcome to enter the promotion with their kids’ ‘selfies’ using their Facebook profiles for parental consent. This weekend will be the final weekend where families can participate in the activity. All four wildlife stickers will be up at their various locations until 12noon on Monday 22nd November when the draw will be done at the Port Moresby Nature Park. The Nature Park thanks its supporters Holiday Inn & Suites and Enzo’s Express Takeaway for being the promotion’s Prize Sponsors. Participants and supporters of the promotion are encouraged to follow the Port Moresby Nature Park Facebook page to find out who the 4 Lucky Winners will be.

The NGO-sponsored protest march, which is set to be staged tomorrow in National Capital District, can only be allowed by the Peace and Good Order Committee of the city if the organisers not only restrict it to 20 participants, but also they comply with Niupela Pasin Protocols to present their petition on ‘No Jab, No Job, policy to the National Government. If they exceed 20 participants, they must get the approval of the Pandemic Controller as there is a protocol in place restricting public gatherings to 20 or less and no protest or demonstration. During a press conference today at the City Hall Annex, NCD Governor Hon. Powes Parkop made this known when commenting on the planned peaceful demonstration led by activist Noel Anjo and other NGOs. He said whilst respecting the rights of the people to dissent, fundamental rights to life must also be respected. Governor Parkop told media that the Peace and Good Order Committee, which he chairs, met and resolved that the request for a peaceful demonstration be approved by the Pandemic Controller. He clarified that the committee lacked authority to approve it, saying the Pandemic Act prohibits such gatherings comprising over 20 people due to the issuance of the protocols. All other public gatherings initiated by NCDC Management and Governor himself get approvals from the Pandemic Controller, he said, urging Mr Anjo to do the same. “Everyone including myself gets approval from the Controller and Mr Anjo cannot be exception. However, Governor Parkop made a commitment to receive the petition on behalf the legislative arm of the government and read it in Parliament when it meets this week if the Controller grants approval or the organisers limit their gathering to 20 or less people. “I will receive their petition and read it in Parliament if only 20 people gather.” Huge public gatherings, he said, threaten lives as they have been proven to be superpower spreader for community transmission of Covid-19, citing Independence gatherings and Late Sir Michael Somare’s funeral helped spread the spike of Delta Variant Corona-Virus which has wreaked havoc and is causing mysteries on people’s lives. Alternatively, he said it was appropriate for the NGOs to leave the matter to be dealt with by the Workers Union bodies or challenge it in court. “It is not appropriate for people who are unemployed taking up this matter as it does not directly affect them. What the NGO groups need to realise is the citizens have lost their jobs because the economic activities which are critical for employment creation, consumption, revenue generation and overall economic growth which have plummeted or slowed down due to Covid-19 impacts. “It was not Covid-19 vaccines that put our people off their jobs. Our people are losing their jobs because of adverse economic impacts induced by Covid-19 Pandemic. That is why in order for us to recover and open up the economy like everyone else, everyone should be vaccinated,” said Governor Parkop, a pro-vaccine advocate. Meanwhile, Governor Parkop called on fellow Parliamentarians to become steadfast and show leadership during this Covid crisis with uniform messaging.

Kopkop College Grade 12 student, Jamie Lape decided at an early age to pursue law, because he feels the system had failed his family, and that by becoming one, he hopes to inspire honesty and integrity. Jamie is the outgoing head boy of Kopkop College and a quiet, strong-minded young man who finished as the second highest academic achiever at the recent 11th grade 12 graduation of Kopkop College. “There was an incident that occurred when I was a small boy and my family had to go through the trouble of hiring different types of lawyers. We wasted a lot of money. “I was 12 years old at that time and it really affected me because I had to watch my parents come and go and sometimes, they came late at night. At times some of the lawyers they hired weren’t truthful. I decided that this was something that needed to be corrected,” recalled Jamie. Learning from this experience Jamie is determined to prove he could bring change by helping others. To Jamie, not everyone is always right, but a lawyer in his opinion must make an effort to be committed and honest. “You, as a lawyer, have to make an effort to be always available to assist people and especially when they trust you and entrust their legal matters into your hands.” “And that’s one of my ambitions that if I become a lawyer, I will make sure my clients receive my full service and attention. I will leave no stone unturned.” The 21-year-old is inspired by his mother, Ms Morrissa, a secondary school teacher at Kopkop College. Jamie says his mother is a strong woman who is unafraid to stand up for what is right. With pride, Jamie’s father, Willie Lape describes his son as a determined young man, saying he is glad Jamie wants to join the legal force, an area he formerly served as a police officer for 14 years. “As an ex-policeman I’m proud of Jamie and proud that he is determined to take up law and I’m very thankful to Kopkop College. The school has molded him to be who he is, to study hard and to be confident. The school offers subjects at one grade-level up from other schools and is very competitive,” Mr Lape said. For Jamie, the support he has received from his teachers, the administration and his friends over the last seven years has certainly helped him to come out of his shell and take on leadership duties which he says will inspire him towards his journey.

Provinces in the Southern Region will be experiencing more rainfall in the coming months as the wet season had arrived two weeks earlier than expected. National Weather Service acting Director Jimmy Gomoga said that whilst Southern region will see more rainfall, Highlands and Momase regions will experience normal rainfall condition and the New Guinea Islands region will see below average or dry condition. In updating on the country’s weather forecast, Gomoga also said Western, Gulf, Central, NCD, Milne Bay and Northern provinces will be experiencing severe thunderstorms and lightning in the coming days. “This is mainly due to the transition from dry season to wet season where the warm air and cold air giving off this severe sparks we see in lightning,” Mr Gomoga said. “People will need to stay clear off power poles and trees at this time.” “Also those living near rivers must be cautious and move to higher grounds.” He further urged everyone to be informed with the current weather forecast at this time.

Under the 2021 Graduation theme “Mask Up. Roll Up. Graduate.” Kopkop College successfully graduated its year 12 students on Saturday November, 6th, 2021, as it stands in solidarity in the fight against COVID-19. Kopkop College, a permitted private school, has proven academic records which annually sees most of its Grade 12 students successfully entering their choice of institution. The students will be amongst some 30,000 others vying for spaces at tertiary level next year. The school’s 11th graduation was held under strict COVID Protocol and included just the parents, grade 12 teachers, supporting staff, the executive director, school board chair and the keynote speaker Cardiologist Professor Sir Isi Kevau. Leon Buskens, chairman of the school board said the school was fortunate enough to have held its graduation amidst such an unprecedented time where impacts of COVID 19 are felt globally. He encouraged students to be strong, to depend on each other for support and to always seek help. Female student, Eva Aimas took out the most outstanding academic award followed by male student, Jamie Lape. The school also recognized two long-time students termed as Kopkop College Babies, Petronella Buskens and Annieosciller Turi who have been with Kopkop since pre-school. Jamie Lape who intends to study law, said the past two years under covid-19 have been tough but they all have remained resolute. There was not a dry-eye at the graduation as he joined his friends to sincerely thank parents and teachers for their continuous support. Kopkop College Executive Director, Maria Kopkop told the graduands: “Nothing comes easy, all things come with hard work, passion and commitment. Every one of you must have a mindset for next year.” She said Kopkop College is all about family and thrives on that relationship to ensure both the children and parents get the best alternative education. “There are opportunities everywhere for education but at Kopkop College we take in-depth insight into learning. We believe in our children and we believe in nation-building through our children.” Ms. Kopkop urged parents to begin saving up for next year, in preparation for the worst that may come from COVID-19. The college continues to emphasize on the importance of hygiene and cleanliness and aims to follow all COVID protocols while recently making sure both its academic and non-academic staff are provided testing. “There is a daunting database regarding corona-virus. Families, it is not a joke anymore,” Ms. Kopkop said, urging those who have yet to be vaccinated to follow protocols so that everyone is kept safe on campus.

Mitchell Pearce has officially been released from the final year of his contract with the Newcastle Knights to take up a Super League deal. Pearce has been strongly linked to an immediate move to French Super League club, Catalans Dragons, to finish out his professional career. The 32-year-old formally asked for a release from the Knights last month after meeting with club power brokers. Newcastle announced that Pearce had been released effective immediately, so he could take the French deal with a reported $1.8 million over three years. “The Newcastle Knights have agreed to grant Mitchell Pearce a release to join English Super League Club, Catalans Dragons,” a club statement read. “Pearce requested a release from the final year of his current contract in late October, with both parties working through the process, making it effective immediately. “The Knights would like to thank Mitchell for his significant contribution since joining the club in 2017, celebrating many highlights including 300 NRL games and back-to-back finals series.” Pearce will replace James Maloney, who officially retired after a two-year stint with Catalans. The development comes after Foxsports.com.au revealed that the Knights are expected to request a transfer fee as part of the release conditions. Pearce leaves the NRL after playing 309 first grade games over stints with the Roosters and Knights. He is a premiership winner and played 19 games for New South Wales. Wests Tigers halfback Luke Brooks was touted as a potential replacement for Pearce but his club are determined to keep him. Newcastle re-signed young playmaker Phoenix Crossland last week.