Australian university introduces first ever course in Tok Pisin

By KEITH JACKSON - PNG Attitude

CANBERRA - An online undergraduate course in Tok Pisin has been introduced by the Australian National University’s College of Asia and the Pacific this year.

Tok Pisin is an official language of Papua New Guinea and is the most commonly and widely used language in the country with about four million native speakers.

The College says that by learning Tok Pisin, students will gain a deeper understanding of the rich cultures, histories and societies of the people of PNG and surrounding areas of the Pacific.

In this introductory course, students gain a practical command of beginner spoken Tok Pisin and an elementary capacity to read various types of texts in Tok Pisin with the help of a dictionary.

By the end of the course, students should have an active vocabulary of approximately 1,000 of the most frequently used and useful words in Tok Pisin.

They will have also covered the main features of Tok Pisin grammar and will have a command of pronunciation.

Upon successful completion of the one semester course, students will have the knowledge and skills to recognise and pronounce all Tok Pisin vowels and consonants with appropriate intonation and produce basic phrase and sentence structures to allow short conversations and the reading, writing, and translation of short basic texts.

They will also be able to communicate in speaking and writing Tok Pisin, using simple phrases and sentences to greet, give and understand instructions, and ask questions and provide answers about personal things and what they encounter in everyday life.

They’ll also understand the culture and everyday life of PNG including work, travel, and family relationships.

All in all, a great initiative and a well thought-through introductory program.

Go to this link: https://asopa.typepad.com/asopa_people/2019/02/australian-university-introduces-first-ever-course-in-tok-pisin.html

Two years on: reviewing the anthology, ‘My Walk to Equality’

TANYA ZERIGA-ALONE | Em Nau PNG’s Blog

PORT MORESBY - The theme for the 2017 International Women’s Day was ‘Be Bold for Change’.

The launching of the anthology, ‘My Walk to Equality’, on that day was a bold step toward putting the spotlight on women’s issues  in Papua New Guinea.

The anthology is a 280-page book containing 84 entries from 40 women writers – both established and emerging. The stories, poems and essays contain accounts by women striving to create a better and stronger PNG for women. Their words are immortalised in this book.

With brutal honesty, the women tell their stories. They give their solutions and ask pertinent questions to probe further thinking that requires honesty and humility.

Rashmii Amoah Bell, the editor, says in her essay, ‘Embracing the dark future to see PNG emerge into the light’, that change can happen through literature. She advocates the use of writing as a tool, to explore new ground – including taboo subjects – as a means for starting conversations and looking for solutions.

This is one way PNG women can create a better and stronger PNG, by just telling our stories. Our stories may be accepted or they may be rejected but they will exist as beacons in our walk to equality. Through our stories we walk into the dark future to emerge into light.

Be bold because courage is contagious

Being bold in the face of challenges is one way women can create a better and stronger PNG because courage is contagious.

Caroline Evari relocates with her family from Port Moresby to Oro and, after a while, she returns alone to Port Moresby.

She goes through a lot of struggles but comes out a victor. She says “your mind is your greatest enemy, not the people around you.  Reach for the stars and keep running until you have achieved your goal.”

On the walk to equality, we have to be bold and courageous, because there are eyes watching.

As women, we ask for permission to do a lot of things, but the first thing we need to do is to give ourselves permission to be great.

In Madlyn Baida’s story, a village lass wants to learn to read and write and get an education. She allows herself to dream. Once she knows her dream, she sees the opportunities. Her husband provides support and enables to achieve her freedom.

Be good at what you do because that is the currency that will take women’s voice to the table for negotiations

To create a better and stronger PNG, we need to get more women into decision-making positions so that they may show favourable consideration to women as they walk to equality.

There is an adage that says, ‘if you are good at what you do, you will serve before Kings’. Do something with your life.

Be good at something. It does not matter what you do or whether you are as young as Iriani Wanma, the author of the grasshopper story, or middle aged or somewhere in between. If you are good you will be favoured. And when you are recognised, make use of your position to address the plight of the sisterhood.

We already have many role models who have done just that. Women can always match the stride of the society.  Some of these prominent PNG women include Winifred Kamit, Finckewe Zurenuo, Jane Mogina, Betty Lovai and the late Judge Davani, whose tribute can be seen in the anthology.

I am as proud of the sisterhood at the Division of Education in Simbu as told by Roslyn Tony. Despite a lot of pushback from a paternalistic society, these women acted with integrity and transparency and were eventually accepted as leaders in their communities.

We have to be responsible for the sisterhood

Even if women make up 50% of the population, we are treated as a minority due to our positions in the community. We have a duty of care to stand up for our sisters.

“If only I could save you, you’d still have a heartbeat.”  This eerie phrase from Vanessa Gordon’s poem ‘Drum Beat’ is haunting. It is full of regret. We have to take action to help a sister and the children and the helpless.

To help our sisters we have to know our rights.  Dominica Are tells the story of how Pauline saved her life by walking away from a bad situation because she knew her rights. Not many women have that knowledge.

It is our duty to teach as well as mentor other woman to be the best.  Alurigo does that with the ‘XOX: We are Champions’group. It does not have to be on the national stage but at our own little spheres of influence.

We have to support any form of education. The most inspiring story I read was by Alphonse Huvi from West New Britain.  Her father was against her education and did not make resources available.

But, through support from her auntie Oripa, Alphonse became a teacher and was eventually accepted by her father. We have a duty to support our girls to get an education.

Too big a work for women alone – patriarchy can help

Patriarchy can play a big role to helping women build a better and stronger PNG.

In the anthology, there are six stories that pay tribute to patriarchy for being the source of strength for women. This shows the important role of the male gender in helping women in our walk to equality.

Helen Anderson in her essay, ‘Mixed-race Meri Markham’, pays tribute to her male relatives for helping her fit into society. Emma Wapki also pays tribute to her male relatives for being fair, loving and supportive

The fine story by Alurigo on ‘Sir Dawanicura’ is an example of leaders leading by example. He has brought a family friendly atmosphere to the PNG Olympics Committee.

Family is the basic building block of society if we do not lead with wisdom and flexibility in these changing times, we will contribute to the breakdown in family, which will lead to breakdown in society and eventually breakdown in the nation.

The society will not change until the family changes

Families are the cornerstone of societies.  We learn how to be function as members of society by learning from within our family circles. We build from strength to strength when we have a stable roots.  A stable family can be the base for creating a better and stronger PNG.

Florence Jonduo  talks about parenting children says that the children are innocent, they are brought up without their permission and that is why, adults we have moral and legal obligation to look after them.  And whatever we teach them when they are young, sets them up for life.

But sometimes children turn out wrong. Whose fault is that when we observe generations of young people who have no plans for life, “the lost men” as Marlene Dee Gray Potoura describes the situation. Marlene asks a pertinent question, “Are the lost men the fault of women?”

Rosyln Tony also asks some hard questions about why things are falling apart in our society. If we honestly answer the questions, we may find that it will lead us to families and that is where we may come up with long-lasting and meaning full solutions for the problems we see in our society.

Conclusion

No women or group of women can fully address those pertinent questions single-handed. We need the help of society through policies and laws.

As we look at shaping policies for the future, I hope we all take those important decisions from the perspective of young mothers.

Lapieh Landu in her poem ‘Fear Unbearable’ writes about her fears for her baby as she contemplates the future. 

If all people responsible for creating laws can make those laws from the position of new mothers, looking at her helpless infant, then we would take all the necessary steps to secure a better future for the generation yet to come.

For we are fighting a cause that is not for us but for the future generation.

‘My Walk to Equality’ is still available from Amazon Books for $US10.53 plus postage. You can link to the page here

Go to this link: https://asopa.typepad.com/asopa_people/2019/02/two-years-on-reviewing-the-anthology-my-walk-to-equality.html#more

Making Oil and Gas a Woman’s job

Posted on The National

It takes passion, drive and hunger to be the best, according to Gloria Arabagali.
With a background in computer science and business, Arabagali became the first woman and citizen staff at Oil Search to nationalise the Sydney-based PNG Oil and Gas reporting analyst’s role in 2016
According to Oil Search, Arabagali did not stop there and has recently been promoted to financial planning and analysis supervisor with the business unit in Port Moresby.
From the Juha clan in Hela , Arabagali joined Oil Search in 2014 through a graduate development programme and said a defining moment in her career was the opportunity to present the annual budget at a joint venture Partners Technical Committee meeting in 2016 and ’17.
“That was definitely a highlight for me,” she said.
As the financial planning and analysis supervisor, she’s now responsible for each of the business unit financial reporting cycles such as the monthly and quarterly forecasts and annual budget.
She is also responsible for reviewing and coordinating all joint venture financial data in collaboration with the business unit planning team and looks to identify and execute projects that are focused on continuous improvement opportunities.
Arabagali enjoys the work environment at Oil Search and says she feels privileged to work alongside highly skilled individuals in the fields of science and business.
“Oil Search provides an environment for employees to learn and grow in the oil and gas industry irrespective of gender,” she said. “It has an amazing pool of leaders from Peter Botten, the CEO right down to the managers who have this deep sense of commitment to develop future leaders for the company and for PNG. It’s all about having the passion, the drive and hunger to be the best in any profession.”
Has she any advice for women?
“Take an aggressive approach towards learning and never limit yourself,” she said. “Science is for all and I encourage young women and girls to conquer and dominate.”

Go to this link: https://www.thenational.com.pg/making-oil-gas-womans-job/

Digicel Foundation Appoints New CEO

Digicel PNG Foundation has announced the appointment of Serena Sasingian as its new chief executive officer, with immediate effect. 

Commenting on her appointment, Ms Sasingian said: “I am proud to join an organisation that has contributed to huge transformational change in the country since its establishment just over a decade ago.

“The footprint of Digicel PNG Foundation is evident all over Papua New Guinea through the classrooms that have been built, the mobile health clinics that have been purchased, and the lives that are being changed through many of its social programs. “The next decade marks an exciting new opportunity to build on the solid foundations that have been laid and I am honoured to lead this dynamic organisation to further its mission to make sure nobody gets left behind.”

Ms Sasingian is a lawyer by profession. She holds a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) from the University of Papua New Guinea and a Master of Business specialising in philanthropy and non-profit studies from the Queensland University of Technology in Australia. She has over 10 years of experience in the field of development and public policy where she has worked in government, the private, and the not for profit sectors.

Before joining Digicel Foundation she was the head of gender and leadership with the oil search foundation. She has also worked for the Department of Justice and Attorney General as a senior policy lawyer where she was in charge of the implementation of domestic violence legislation and the governments action plan to address sorcery and witchcraft related violence.

Before this, she worked as the executive director for a non-profit organisation she co-founded whilst at the University of PNG called The Voice Inc. which focuses on citizens led development through its centres for leadership established across the major state run universities in the country.

Her work in the non for profit sector in PNG was recently recognised with her appointment as the Asia Pacific representative to the esteemed board of advisers for the international institute of democracy and electoral assistance in Stockholm, Sweden. She was also a former independent committee member to Oil Search Ltd’s health, safety and sustainability board sub-committee. Ms Sasingian succeeds Beatrice Mahuru who resigned as CEO in June 2018.

Go to this link: https://postcourier.com.pg/digicel-foundation-appoints-new-ceo/

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/

Notice to all Hela Public Servants

By William Bando, LM Provincial Administrator - Posted on Post Courier 

This notice serves as a final warning for the below listed Hela Public Servants to return to the province and or place of work by or before 1st of March 2019. We have already installed the Alesco Payroll System in Tari and it will be fully operational by 1st March 2019. This means all Salary and HR matters will no longer be processed in Waigani.

You will be required to report to your superior each Monday and Friday mornings to be eligible for fornightly salaries to be processed. Peace is now surfacing and I need all your help to be agents of change in your respective villages and therefore seek your fullest of corporation to restore our province.

I have removed over 100 ghost names from the payroll and have suspending some of you from payroll pending your return to the province. Failure to comply with this directive will result in your dismissal from the National Public Service and your accrued entitlements paid forthwith.

You are also informed that a restructure was completed and submitted to the Secretary for Department of Personnel Management for Approval. This restructure once approved will see the strength of our Public Service reduced to 299 positions from the previous 402, following the departure of the Health Staff to the Provincial Health Authority. You are to be on the ground to be considered for a position once internally advertised.

Name	File Number
Richard Agiru	11434425
Gunalo Aliabe	00828971
John Aluago	11367593
Grace Amaya	12850647
Steven Angobe	12517377
Steven Andrew	11229007
Moses Arabagali	12201398
Alex Ariako	01443905
Benson Y. Asan	11367833
Newman Ayako	11366256
Patrick Dabugo	10113823
Bubila Danny	12518014
James Erebo	01340251
Tom Higili Etabe	00868051
Sedric Ekara	11367889
Mex Ekeya	11228904
Mara Elo	11365670
Paiangi Max Elo	12517330
Steven Gabe	01456578
Richard Gobouli	10305566
Egara Habagua	01584916
John Hamua	00623016
Solomon Handupi	0144885A
Mark Hape	01456659
Daniel Hari	01866938
Deniel Haro	113656625
Hetra Hekele	01474690
Paul Hetawi	11368043
Jackson Hewape	11367619
Turumbu R. Himuku	11230058
Henry Hiripi	11364431
James Hole	01448958
Danny Hongai	00867276
Tindipe Grace Horabi	11364413
Steven Horabi	11228726
James Hubiya	11367824
Hubia Huriba	01587222
Anna Ibanda	10290071
Ngawe Huyebi Ikila	11228771
Gini Mark Irabe	11228987
Aliali Alusis John	10292655
Telape Julius	01446882
Pibe Kambali	11365465
Jim Kaloma	11368025
Haguai Kapili	00740730
Tom Kapia	10122409
Jeremiah Karaka	11228735
Halukaya Kepagi	01340189
Bob Kepaya	11229820
Kapil Kepaya	10285983
Makape Kereme	01448247
Iso Kirawe	11367842
Bu Smith Kiwa	10048944
Wagani Kone Kor	00690031
Ronald Kou	00867357
Florence Kumbaija	00725781
Victor Kunini	11367815
Henzi Lapi	01411043
Andako Laro	00867128
Aiene Lepo	01590932
Steven Lialu	01870293
Eleaser Listing	00870668
Belinda Marabe	10049397
Emmanual Mara	01456691
Edward Maropa	01447021
Ala Matiabe	12517751
David Minape	00829447
Paija Minape	01474118
Josephine Mogola	11365017
Angelyn Mokai	10578233
Samson Molu	00506915
Alen Mone	01446840
Jonathan Moses	11367860
Gibson Muli	11574613
Pupi Mulupe	11367216
Luke Mulungu	11365699
Steven Pawini	00867322
Paro Paias	12518005
Steward Paragua	01867543
Timothy Peabe	01867667
Bei Pelake	00769967
Thomas Dickson Pelapa	11229849
Peter Peles	11367539
Homogo Chris Pitzz	12209684
Mattew Poke	11368016
James Poroli	11318907
Filter Puni	10148331
Andane Sakane	11368419
Alembo Luke Segowa	00749486
Peter Tazape	01461601
Hetawi Tegela	01353132
Samuel Telape	11229197
Daniel Teke	00867047
Nick Thomson	11384212
Margaret Tiabe	01448591
Halimbu Tima	01406694
Joe Wija Tindipe	10493465
Henry Tobenego	01477923
Ezekiel Togola	11229043
Tapole Toko	11365213
Kemai Tony	12517161
Tendele M. Tumbu	11228969
Filbert Tuya	11228851
Jonson Ukuni	11366013
George Urai	12206602
Kove Waiko	00882470
William Waira	11367851
Waiya Wakia	11367486
James Waiyabe	00867535
John Wambie	01447005
Walu Wamu	01362158
Henry Wango	00273244
Kopi Warake	00867306
Peter Warili	00870471
Anna Wayali	01867900
Mathew Yago	12200121
Abel Yakala	11228996
Raphael Yaki	00884367
Dennis Yalon	00828696
Steven Yangis	11368624
Nicky Yatali	00868035
Kulu Yawale	10098189
Andigi Yuguli	11365240