Western Pacific University President’s Message
Welcome to the Western Pacific University (WPU). At the University, we are inventing our future, as we are building this beautiful Digital University Campus (physically and virtually) for the future generations of Papua New Guinea and the world. WPU is located in the rural, peaceful, cool and refreshing natural environment of the Ialibu ‘valley of rainbows. It is situated in Divine beauty surrounded by Mt. Giluwe and Mt. Ialibu.
Staff and students have come from different ethnic groups and nationalities, far and wide to enact the vision for a national fully digitalized University in the Upper Highlands Region of PNG and within the Western Pacific Region. It is a humbling and indeed a lifetime experience to be part of a newly established 21 st Century University in Papua New Guinea. The Western Pacific University embraces its motto – Pro Deo et Patria which means for GOD and Country in Latin. In a world of so much changes, complexities, ideals and chaotic it may seem to be at times- our contribution to human development globally starts in our local context. We embrace our contextual realities which must be tuned to GOD and Country. We are also called to be responsive citizens in GOD’s kingdom living with the divine philosophy- in what we are said to be doing as individuals and members of the WPU Academic Community. This is complemented with civic responsibilities, humbleness and egoless character- building traits, positive attitudes and values that are for greater good and value to humanity.
We aspire to embrace and nurture our social interactions within and externally with our valued stakeholders and those who support our vision and mission. From the different levels of our social interactions – personally as individual citizens, in our University (Institutionally) as an Academic Community, in the society that we are located (Ialibu) in - living and interacting with the local indigenous people in the district, in PNG, the Western Pacific Region and the digitalized World- we making our University to be what it stands for. We remain stewards of this University- as a perpetual institution (engine room) for knowledge accumulation, creation and dissemination -all for the common good of humanity and values that matter to us all. Our attitudes and actions must be reflective of being good servant leaders, purposed for the glory of GOD.
As we serve – in our roles as students, academics and non-academics in WPU we must not forget that we are gifts to each other hence we need each other. This realization diminishes the gratification for power and authority over servanthood through faith, great humbleness and the pursuit for quality and excellence towards the ultimate impact in the core business of our university. Our core business is to foster quality in what matters most;
- Quality Teaching and Learning academic programmes, strategies and models
- Quality Operational and Administrative functions of the University
- Quality Research for the creation of new knowledge and innovation for common good and greater value for all and
- Greater Partnership towards collaborative engagement with industries, Universities, Private Corporations, Communities of Practices - locally and internationally.
Western Pacific University aims to be the University of Choice for the future, a University that aspires to advance knowledge through:
- research,
- provide quality technical education,
- be the leader in technology,
- innovate industries thus
- serving society by graduating conscientious and productive global and digital citizens.
The University is here today and it will be tomorrow but individuals like us, come and go during our time to leave behind our contributions (legacies) for those who will come after us. So, let us continue to contribute to service our University- for GOD & COUNTRY. God’s Blessings always!
Dr. Janet. B. Rangou, PhD
President
Message from the Vice President Academic Affairs
Western Pacific University (WPU) is the newest University in PNG. Located in scenic and peaceful Ialibu in the Southern Highlands, it is an institution being built from the ground up. Being new presents us with an exciting opportunity: the opportunity to innovate and chart an exciting new university growth path as a 21st Century university. Our academic aspiration is NOT to be a new version of the old model of university; our vision is to be a fully digitised university utilising new technologies to deliver inclusive higher education whose learners span the length and breadth of PNG and beyond. So how does this aspirational model translate in academic practice? First, WPU's focus is to be a university where the bulk of our students are either studying fully online or in the flexible or blended mode. A cohort of students may choose to study in the flexible mode, that is, partly residential and partly non-residential. Another cohort may opt to study fulltime on site as residential students. However, even when studying as onsite students, they will learn in a mix or online and face- to- face, both synchronously and/or asynchronously. Second, our programs aim to have transformative impact in the social, economic indicators in the country. Thus, the programmes are aligned with the national strategic direction captured in the 2050 vision, and aim do deliver tangible outcomes around national development goals, and industry and civil sector organisations strategic outputs and outcomes. We are excited to grow by one hundred percent our current suite of four programmes, which include:- Certificate in Higher Education Studies (CHEFS)
- BA in International Business Management (BA IBM)
- BSc in Computer Networking (BSc CMN)
- BSc in Computer Programming (BSc CMP)
Dr L. Salonda