Literacy Vital For Country's Development

BY RITA PEKI - Posted on Post Courier 

Literacy is a word that has multiple meanings behind it. Every individual will have their own definition of what literacy is and how it affects societies today.

Generally, literacy can mean anything that is recognised, read or even just being understood by an individual.

Without literacy the world would fall apart and everyday tasks would be impossible to be completed because it is the ultimate superpower that should be attainable by everyone but is not used to its full potential.

One of the most influential partsof literacy is the lives of individuals in the literacy events that occur in everyday situations such as doing shopping, chatting with friends, going out for a ride or party, literacy will always be prompt.

Literacy can also bring the world to its knees or to another level with the help from the communication around the world because it contains power that can build or destroy a person.

Without literacy, a country’s society can be razed through the struggles and hardships that lead to high crimes whereas with literacy, it can make a country soar with technology and a thriving economy.

For a developing country like Papua New Guinea, illiteracy is one of the most daunting challenges and main drivers of tribal fights, crimes, violence against women, drugging and home brew activities which have lured the lives of many unemployed youths, abandoning education as the fundamental source to a better life.

According to a literacy report in 2015, youth literacy is low at approximately 63 per cent and covers the population between the ages of 15-24 years.

An estimated 60 – 70 per cent of our population consists of youths and only 20-30 per cent has acquired decent education.

The good news is that one of the objectives of the national governments in the Millennium Development Goal is to achieve 70 per cent literacy rate by the year 2025 including addressing adult literacy.

If the people are illiterate, they will never know how to look after themselves and live a healthy lifestyle. They will lack respect and common understanding.

For example, your ethnic background can also be a major contribution to the amount of acceptance and your views on the society. Having the ability to be well educated gives you the advantage on how to change the views of others and the ethnic group in which you belong to.

Literacy teaches you on how to be independent, confident and beingtrue to yourself. It also broadens one’s knowledge to differentiate right from wrong.

Although there are occasions where literacy is not as important as it seems, being well educated is a crucial thing in order to make you stand out and be able to navigate through your communitybecause in a world like this, it is what you need in order to be successful.

Go to this: https://postcourier.com.pg/literacy-vital-countrys-development/

Grace Certifies Aviation Turbine Fuels

Posted on Post Courier

Meet Grace Kega, a chemist at the Oil Search Petroleum Laboratory in Kutubu, Southern Highlands.
She tests and certifies Jet A-1 fuel according to ASTM international standards, which are the recognised international test methods for aviation turbine fuels.

“One of my key responsibilities in the Laboratory is quality testing and certification of refinery fuel products such as Jet A-1 to support Oil Search’s aviation and operational requirements. “Before the fuel is safe for use in an aircraft, it must be free from water contamination as low temperatures in the upper atmosphere can cause the water to form droplets which can supercool to below 0 degrees Celsius. “If the droplets come into contact with a surface, they can freeze and may result in blocked fuel inlet pipes which might prove fatal,” Grace explains.

“We perform a Micro-Separometer Rating Test (ASTM D3948), that enables the release of water from jet fuel using a water-sensitive filter pad, and also a Freeze Point Test (ASTM D2386-15), to ensure the fuel has a very low freeze point temperature so that it will not crystalise in higher altitudes. Apart from these two tests we also conduct 15 other tests on the Jet fuel to ensure it’s safe to use.” Before Oil Search was able to use its own Jet A-1 fuel for commercial aviation, the fuel had to be certified by the PNG Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Grace was part of the project team that helped acquire the Licence.
“Not only does Oil Search value safety, it values diversity and inclusion. Helping obtain the CASA licence was definitely a highlight of my career and is a further endorsement of the very high safety standards that we have here. This is why I love working for this company.”

The Oil Search Petroleum Laboratory is accredited to ISO-17025 which meets international standards in testing and certification. Data produced here is as precise and accurate as anywhere else in the world.
These days, Grace enjoys nothing more than training new chemists. “I have worked alongside the best in the industry for over a decade. I now have the opportunity to impart that knowledge to new chemists or graduates. My advice to young women and girls is to study hard as a career in science is rewarding.

“Science helps us appreciate the natural phenomenon in all that is around us. It helps us understand how we are all connected and what we must do to survive. As a scientist, we have the opportunity to make the world a safe and better place.”

Oil Search’s team of petroleum chemists are responsible for the analysis of crude oil and condensate; natural gas sampling and testing; environmental water analysis for regulatory compliance and performance monitoring. They also provide daily analytical support and analysis for the Company’s oil and gas production operations and oversee the safe management of production chemicals used in the operations.

Go to this link: https://postcourier.com.pg/grace-certifies-aviation-turbine-fuels/