OK Tedi Mining Limited (OTML) was proud to officially hand over and open a fully refurbished computer laboratory at The University of Papua New Guinea’s (UPNG) Earth Sciences Division and Centre for Disaster Risk Reduction.
This follows a K550,000 donation from OTML in October 2024.
The funding facilitated the purchase and installation of 28 new desktops, seven laptops, and a 20 kva Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) device.
This significant upgrade addressed a critical need of the Earth Sciences Division, which previously relied on just six desktops to serve its 67 students across the final, third, and second years.
The upgraded computer laboratory will provide students and teaching staff with the resources they need to excel in their studies and research respectively.
Speaking at the ceremony Manager Mine Technical Service James Bu highlighted the importance of OTML’s Growth 2050 Strategy. He emphasised the need to foster strong collaboration and partnerships with key tertiary institutions to ensure they produce quality “industry-ready” graduates with the right technical skills and knowledge.
“As part of achieving OTML’s Growth 2050 Strategy goal, we are building strategic and sustainable partnerships. We realise the importance of engagement and collaboration with the Universities, because we want to develop and groom future mining leaders to help OTML achieve its Growth 2050 strategy,” said Mr Bu.
Associate Professor Joseph Espi, Divisional Leader of the Earth Science Division and Director of Center for Disaster Risk Reduction, expressed his gratitude for OTML’s continued support.
“I am so proud in saying that Ok Tedi is a nationally owned company that is focused in helping us the University produce high quality graduates that are industry ready,” said Associate Professor Espi.
President of the Geosciences Student Association (GSA) Trevor Dauba expressed his appreciation on behalf of the student body for the new computer lab as well as for continuously engaging students for Industrial Training and the Graduate Development Scheme program.
“I thank you for the partnership and all the support you have provided to the (Earth Sciences) Division. This will develop each and every one of the students that are here today and those who will come in the future,” said Mr Dauba.
OTML representatives who attended the ceremony include Senior External Affairs Officer Alex Warren, Director Corporate Affairs Norman Temu, and Manager Mine Production Services James Waisime along with Earth Sciences Division and Centre for Disaster Risk Reduction academic staff and students.
