By GEORGINA MICHAEL
A total of 72 students graduated from the International Training Institute (ITI) Kokopo Campus on the 7th of August 2026 marking Kokopo Campus’s second graduation ceremony.
Witnessing the event were East New Britain Governor Hon. Michael Marum, ITI Chairman and Co-Founder Mr. Kumaran Sentheyval, Gazelle MP and Minister for Fisheries and Marine Resources Hon. Jelta Wong, staff, parents, students and invited guests.
Of the 72 graduates, 3 received Diplomas in Business Management while 69 received higher certificates in Accounting, Human Resource Management, Business Management, and Information and Communication Technology.
ITI Chairman and Co-Founder Mr. Sentheyval said education is the foundation of both personal and national progress, and the most reliable investment any nation, family or individual can make.
He commended the students for their resilience and the journey they have come so far to complete their education journey.
“Many of you battled personal hardships, financial pressures, family responsibilities and health struggles, yet you kept going and never stopped.
“Your success today is not measured only by the certificate in your hand. It is measured by the mindset, work ethic and courage you have built. Those cannot be printed on paper, but they will define every chapter of your life from here,” he said.
East New Britain Governor Hon. Michael Marum in his keynote address, congratulated the graduands and urged them to both compete and create opportunities.
“Our country needs entrepreneurs, skilled workers, managers and community leaders. East New Britain needs your knowledge as much as PNG does. We want to see our young people contribute to our province and build our economy,” he said.
He also challenged them to continue learning, adding that their certificates mark the beginning, not the end, of their education journey.
Hon. Jelta Wong encouraged the graduates to take responsibility for their lives.
“This is only the first step. With great power comes great responsibility. That power is your certificate, and what you do with it is up to you,” he said.
Mr. Sentheyval congratulated the Class of 2026 and thanked parents and ITI staff for shaping minds and the future of the institution.