By DALCY LULUA
PATRICK Dennis from Purari Local Level Government in Gulf Province has lauded the TotalEnergies for sponsoring Gulf students who have been undergoing studies at the Port Moresby Technical College (POM Tech).
Dennis, who is also the outgoing president of the third bath students is among 49 students who will be graduating with the National Certificate 3 (NC3) in POM Tech through this scholarship programme.
The graduation ceremony is scheduled to take place in Port Moresby from March 26-27, 2024.
The scholarship programme was established in 2019 through a partnership between TotalEnergies and Gulf Province.
The programme aims at sponsoring Gulf students in the areas of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) at POM Tech.
The 49 students will be graduating in the areas of Heavy Equipment Fitting, Fabrication and Welding, Electrical and Instrumentation and Plumbing and Refrigeration Make-a -Mix from the usual seven (7) trades offered at the POM Tech.
Speaking during the graduation recent reception ceremony, Mr. Dennis said he is honored to stand before everyone, representing the outgoing third batch of students under the TotalEnergies TVET Sponsorship programme.
“I take this time to thank our major sponsor, TotalEnergies and certain individuals who have been our great support.
“Without the TVET Sponsored Scholarship programme, most of us sitting here today would not be graduating.
“We’ve been given this second chance in life to get educated.
“Through the program, our tuition fees were fully paid including our weekly allowances to support us in the college.
“No other students enjoy such privilege,” he said.
Dennis applauded TotalEnergies for relieving the struggling parents back in the village.
“We are very thankful to TotalEnergies.”
He also thanked all the instructors for imparting knowledge and skills to them as well as guiding them in ensuring each of the students master the skills and techniques in their respective trades.
“We would also like to thank our instructors for the knowledge and skills they have imparted to us, including the guidance they gave in ensuring each one of us master the skills and techniques in our respective trades.
“These individuals (instructors) not only taught us in class but they went extra miles in recommending us to secure short term on the job training with various companies in both public and private sectors.
“We can now proudly say that we have the job experience to meaningfully contribute to the development of Gulf Province and the country in whatever ways we can contribute,” Mr Dennis said.
He also made a special mention of Ms Lina Nandape; the Workforce Development Coordinator; the person who is directly responsible for looking after students coming through the partnership.
“We thank you for the special role you play in coordinating the program.
“Our successful completion of all levels of our technical studies in POM Tech is the testament of the success story of the program you coordinated.”
