By GEORGINA MICHAEL
The University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) has launched the Papua New Guinea Dictionary of Biography, Volume 1, “50 years of Nation Making” by Theresa Meki, Krimeto Gima and Nicholas Hoare.
The program was witnessed by Vice Chancellor Prof Lan Findlay, Executive Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences Prof Leo Marai, Chief Secretary to Government, Ivan Pomaleu, officials from the Australian High Commission (AHC) and Australian National University (ANU), writers, editors and students.
Prof Findlay said: “UPNG Students are today’s investment for PNG future. The PNG Dictionary of Biography Volume 1 recognizing those that created the nation, it is a determination of the government project first began in UPNG in the 1980s, it was a project was a research partnership between UPNG and Australian National University.
“The book will be a great useful resource, for high school and university students across the nation. The book mainly focuses on the grassroots nation-builders such as teachers, doctors, missionaries, military leaders, women and those that work behind the scenes and have contributed meaningfully to the development of our nation since 1975.”
Chief Secretary Pomaleu said: “This is a significant milestone in our national journey and it could not be fitting that it is launched here at the University of PNG.
“This is a Dictionary of Biography for our people, that capture the story of our people in PNG, what makes this Volume remarkable is that, it’s is deliberate focus on the ordinary nation builders of this country apart from politicians who sacrificed and shaped our easy since 1975, these are some heroes of nation building.
“Nation building is a collective effort and I can assure you that the government will support this project and related ones in the coming years.”
AHC Minister Counsellor Elizabeth Le Bas said: “Australia is proud to have supported this research, and made this project possible, However, let me be clear this is a PNG project that includes the PNG voices. Our History goes back a long way, we corporate in Defense Forces, trade and investment, education, health, empowering the youth and other areas, we will continue to invest in research and cultural establishment.”
One of the dictionary’s editors, Krimeto Gima, said: “It took us two years to complete this book with the assistance of our major sponsor, the ANU. It is a relief, even if we had limited numbers of writers, it is finally a relief to get the first volume out during the 50th anniversary of our country and I’m encouraging our writers and academics to continue writing.”