BY GLADYS KILA
Four hundred and six dedicated public servants have graduated from the Somare Institute of Leadership and Governance (SILAG), Papua New Guinea’s oldest public service training institute, receiving diplomas and certificates in various programs.
During the graduation ceremony, SILAG Chairlady and Department of Personnel Management Secretary, Taies Sansan, emphasized the importance of the training provided by the institute.
“SILAG has trained countless public servants since its inception, contributing to the foundation of governance in Papua New Guinea long before we gained independence,” she stated.
“Our legacy is built on dedication, transformation, and nation-building.”
Sansan expressed gratitude towards the Australian government for its ongoing support, which has been instrumental in developing the institute.
She urged graduates to prioritize service to the state and the people, underscoring the need for integrity and excellence in their roles.
“As public servants, our purpose must be clear from the moment we enter the civil service: to deliver quality service to our people,” she emphasized.
Among the graduates, four outstanding individuals received academic excellence awards: Joanne Clarkson and Stewart Sikara for their advanced diplomas in Leadership and Management, Kaspar Solo Puli for his Diploma of Government, Leadership, Management, and Fits Lualuba for Certificate 4 in Leadership and Management.
Their achievements demonstrate the high standards upheld by SILAG.
In a forward-looking announcement, Sansan revealed the institute’s goal of achieving university status by 2027, marking a significant step in enhancing the quality of public service education in the country.