By CHRISTOPHER YANDAWAI
MAPEX Training Institute (MTI) is taking next step in providing quality education in its training pursual by alleviating accommodation issues faced by students in Port Moresby main campus.
In a significant but momentous event on Saturday 12th February 2023, the institute officially opened its newly built boarding facilities at Taurama area, a few minutes’ drive from its main campus at Boroko.
Stakeholder representatives from the Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (DHERST) as well as from the Department of National Planning graced the occasion by officiating the boarding facilities.
Also in attendance were the Board of Management of MTI led by Chairman and Managing Director Mr Marcus Palem Kara, members from the media and others.
Deputy secretary policy and quality assurance wing of the DHERST, Mr. Thimon Bune cut the ribbon to mark the official opening of the boarding facilities.
Mr. Bune described the event as very significant as it signifies the very good beginning of the institute and thanked the founder and Managing Director of MTI, for taking a strong leadership in higher education sector thus far.
While emphasising the importance of institutions in the higher education space, Mr. Bune reconfirmed that MTI is recognized by the National Training Council through National Executive Council’s decision in 2022 and therefore it is one of the recognised private higher education institutions in the country.
“Following this recognition, the DHERST has partnered with MTI by supporting in many ways and one of them is to allow and select its students through National Online Selection System. MTI participated in this process and about 600 students were selected this year. That signifies that MTI is government recognised private institution,” Mr. Bune said.
“Secondly, Mapex was allowed to participate in HELP program. From DHERST level, we have approved about 41 for this year and they are available now so that students can get loan to facilitate their fees.”
He also highlighted that his quality assurance team is working very closely with Mapex so that some little issues are fixed to engage its students on scholarship category.
“There is a long way to go but at least work has commenced and is in progress now,” Mr. Bune said.
He assured the management of the MTI that the DHERST will continue to provide necessary support in terms of advice, students selection process, accrediting programs to making sure there’s quality.
Mr. Bune also stressed that the DHERST is embarking on quality access to education and urged the MTI to also continue to embrace quality education going forward.
Mr. Kara said the boarding facilities were built to ensure students who come from different provinces are provided conducive environment during their studies.
The boarding facilities are provided in a very ideal location, fenced with 24 hours security service, a mini mess hall, power and back up water supply with separate shower rooms and toilet facilities for both male and female students.
It has more than 100 rooms with each room to accommodate two to four students with study tables and chairs being provided.
Mr. Kara said back and forth transport for the boarding students will be provided during the schooling days.
“We cannot force students to come here but we are only providing a conducive environment and it’s up to the parents, sponsors and students to utilise these boarding facilities,” Mr. Kara said.
The opening of the boarding facilities also marked the official start of the 2023 academic year for the Mapex Training Institute.
