Welcome to the Lutheran University of Papua New Guinea Web Site!
LUPNG - is a new and exciting Lutheran University Development Project
for Papua New Guinea, committed to excellence in the planning of tertiary education and committed to serve the church. This
project is in its establishment phase and intends to open as an "Institution of Higher Education"
as soon as program, finance, infrastructure, and approval is firmly in place. This is a cooperative project between the Evangelical
Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea, The Gutnius Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea and the Morobe Provincial Government. The initiating stages of the infrastructure development is expected to cost 40.6 Million Kina. The
overall project is expected to cost 190 Million Kina. This is a bold, imaginative, and inclusive plan to build the first
Lutheran University in Papua New Guinea is intended to serve the practical needs of our people and contribute to building
the nation of Papua New Guinea. The Lutheran University development
project is committed to excellence in the planning of the faculties of education, theology, agribusiness and nursing. Other
faculties will be considered after successful establishment and operation. This newly developing University will provide a new resource and new opportunity for growth and development
in Papua New Guinea that will serve the needs of the nation and the South Pacific for years to come.
Donation/Support Page Under Construction
News
Flash ... LUPNG Breaks Ground
| Acting Prime Minister Hon. Sam T Abal Officiates |
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On Friday May 20th, 2011 the Acting Prime
Minister Sam T. Abal officiated the ground-breaking ceremony for the initiating stage of the multimillion Kina building
project at Martin Luther Seminary. This project will include classrooms, dormitories, and an office complex.
The Theology program at Martin Luther Seminary will be a major beneficiary of this development opportunity. The Acting Prime
Minister announced that the national government has committed six million Kina to support the costs of this infrastructure
development.
Further Details on the Proposed Buildings
Mr. Abal also announced that the government will include the Lutheran University in the annual National Government
budgetary system so that the University would have adequate funding to build its infrastructure into University status and
support recurrent operational expenses. Mr. Abal acknowledged the hard work and achievements of the Establishment Committee under the Chairmanship of
Mr. Pato and said they work should continue to move forward so as to take the first enrollment in 2013. Head Bishop Rev. Giegere Wenge of the Evangelical Lutheran Church
of Papua New Guinea and Head Bishop Rev. David Piso of Gutnius Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea lead the liturgy and planted
a tree near the current renovated offices to symbolize this the future potential of the Lutheran University Project.
Governor Wenge said the Morobe Provincial
government has been financially supporting the initiating costs for Lutheran University since its inception in November 2006.
He said the provincial government will continue to support the University in its journey toward it status as a recognized
University in Papua New Guinea. Invited guests that witnessed this event included; the Minister for Higher Education Hon. Paru Ahi, the Minister for
Defense, Hon. Bob Dade, the Minister for Forestry, Hon. Timothy Bonga, The Governor of Morobe Province, Hon. Luther Wenge,
the Morobe Provincial Administrator, Mr. Kemus Tomal, North Waghi Member of Parliament, Bengimin Mul and the PNG Law Society
President Mr. Kerenga Kua. The
Lutheran University Chairman Mr. Rimbink Pato thanked the Acting Prime Minister and the National Government for its commitment
to include the Lutheran University in the National Budget. Mr. Pato also thanked the Morobe Provincial
Government and Governor Wenge for the continued funding support. Based on May 23, 2001 Post Courier Report by Frank Rai
Download Schematic Building Plans
LUPNG Builds Intellectual Capacity
| LUPNG Sponsored Graduates |
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On Monday
May 16th a small but significant ceremony in the history of Papua New Guinea was held to recognize 17 lecturers
at the Balob Teachers College who graduated with a Masters in Education and with flying colours. Two of
these Lecturers Mr. John Hulum and Mr. Peter Seth graduated with High Distinctions. Additionally, two lecturers were awarded
a Graduate Certificate in Education. The Masters degree Program concentrated on building the capacity of lecturers particularly in the area of primary
education with an emphasis on early childhood education. The courses were provided by Charles Sturt University and the Lecturers,
were fully sponsored by the Lutheran University of Papua New Guinea at a total cost of nearly 1.2 Million Kina.
It was a demanding program that was delivered by visiting professors and completed with online work. This graduation marked
a new era for the Lutheran University in its capacity building program designed to secure professional academic staff for
its initial Theology and Education Faculties. Each lecturer in the Masters Program signed a contractual
agreement to work for the Lutheran University of Papua New Guinea for three years before considering other options once courses
begin to be offered at the Lutheran University. “Congratulations to the Lutheran University or Papua New Guinea on your commitment
to upgrade the qualifications of your (future) staff and we acknowledge that investment which is the cornerstone on which
you (LUPNG) will build your new University,” Professor Toni Downes said. Professor Toni Downes, who
is the Dean of the Faculty of Education at the Charles Sturt University, was on-hand to officiate the ceremony and said Charles
Sturt University had a proud history of partnership in Papua New Guinea. “Over the last 10 years, we have worked with the Education Ministry
and graduated a large cohort of Masters students from across the institutions. We are delighted with the
outcome of this most recent partnership and we look forward to furthering our partnership in the future,” she said. The Lutheran Univerisity's
Acting Project Director, Dr. Brent Kilback said the Lutheran University of Papua New Guinea and Charles Sturt University have
put people first by building the capacity of the Nations Academics. “It is not by accident that you are here today.
This is the largest group of graduates who are graduating with an advanced degree from one institution at the same time and
it is a notable achievement,” he said. Dr. Lee Shluckebier, Project Director, sent his Greetings from Seward Nebraska and
sent a message where he states: “Seventy five percent of the students who entered the Master’s Degree program
completed that program either with a master's degree or a certificate of education. Based on my experience as a former
Dean of Graduate Education, this was a major accomplishment for 75 % of the students to receive a graduate degree. …What
a gift has been given to the church and Papua New Guinea.” He also passed the following message to the graduates: “This accomplishment
places you in the forefront of education in Papua New Guinea. Isaiah wrote the following words in chapter 54:2: “Enlarge the place
of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes. These are words of encouragement
to each of us. Take your newly earned master’s degree to enlarge your teaching ability; take your newly earned master’s
degree educating your students with your research and teaching techniques. This master’s degree prepares you to
lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes by continuing your personal study. As professionals and educators we are always
expanding our knowledge base. Congratulations on the accomplishment of a job well done!”
Based on May 17,
2001 Post Courier Report by Frank Rai
Innovation
at the Lutheran University
| New Videoconferencing Room |
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In June 2010, the Lutheran University of Papua New Guinea in Lae Morobe Province inquired
about the purchase of a "Teamboard". A Teamboard is and interactive whiteboard that responds to the touch
and movements of your hand. The Establishment Committee approved the purchase of the Teamboard on July 31st.
From there an exciting journey was launched as the thoughts and dreams of maximizing the use of the Teamboard for training,
research and enhanced communication opportunities was launched. At the same time the Lutheran University
was renovating an old meeting room that depended on a blackboard and an old bulletin board built in the early 70’s.
The idea was to convert part of the room into a new conference room that could be shared with Lutheran Communications
and the Lutheran University of Papua New Guinea. The Project Directors of the Lutheran University envisioned a state-of-the-art conference
room with videoconferencing capabilities. The Chairman of the Committee concurred and encouraged the forthwith
development of the project. The use of video-conferencing could also reduce operating cost and increase
efficiency as it would reduce domestic transportation costs and allow for meetings that would otherwise be difficult to organize. On October 30th the Establishment Committee approved the installations. From there the highly skilled technical
team made the dream into a reality and we now sit in a state-of- the-art conference room unique to the Morobe Province and
rare in the South Pacific. The installations make up the most advance and modern videoconferencing system in Morobe and only
the second of its type in PNG. This system is designed to be easy to use by the average user.
A significant saving of users’ time and travel costs will result from such an installation. The
Lutheran University plans to recover costs by renting the facility to government agencies and corporations that need such
technologies to communicate with overseas partners, clients, and head offices. Video conferencing
and the internet broadband link will be and is a powerful tool now available to the Lutheran University and its clients for
communications, research and training. The options for use are only limited by the human ability to dream and implement!
First
Building Renovation Completed
On Tuesday May 25, 2010 the first renovation/rehabilitation project of the Lutheran University of Papua
New Guinea began on the Martin Luther Seminary campus. The new Head Bishop of the ELC-PNG, Rev. Bishop Giegere Wenge blessed and encouraged the project to move forward without delay in a
letter dated April 19th 2010.
The first building to be renovated
is the old Communications Building (Christian Radio) that had not been maintained in more than 20 years (see below) and was
a space that could be put to better use. The Lutheran University will share this renovated space with the ELC-PNG Communications
Department until new buildings are built. Other buildings may be renovated after this renovation project has been successfully
completed.
| Renovations Continue |
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| Water Damaged Wall Being Removed |
The building has been repaired and redesigned to include a new Lutheran University reception area, three
new offices for the Lutheran University, a shared conference room, several work areas, and several modern offices for the
ELC-PNG Communication’s Department. A state-of-the-art video conferencing
room has been installed that allows the projection of video and sound to be shared between the Lutheran University
and remote or even overseas locations. This room will be shared with the church and the University. It may also be available
for hire. The communications building at its prime (thirty years ago) had
a renowned recording studio. With the coming of the digital age this equipment is now mostly dysfunctional and outdated; however,
our PNG students of music and art still a need such facilities to record and broadcast their talents to PNG and the world.
To that end, the Lutheran University is looking for gifts in kind throughout Australia to reestablish the recording studio with quality and modern recording equipment. Dr. Tracy Edington-Mackay from Australia is coordinating this initiative. Should you be able to assist her
with information or gifts of kind please contact her at:
The renovation and rehabilitation project has significantly improved the building's aesthetics, comforts,
general maintenance, and made the building multifunctional. At the same time, this renovation will set a positive example
and encourage project partners that the University is physically progressing. This is expected to encourage renewed enthusiasm
for the overall University project. The Department of National Planning
and Implementation (Monitoring) has funded this Project with funds from the
Rehabilitation of Education Sector Infrastructure funds (RESI funds) received in 2009. Renovations and new building
was delayed related to the need to give the new ELC-PNG leadership an opportunity to participate with the decision process
of renovating and building. The remaining funds have been put a side for a new building project that is expected to
commence in August or September 2011.
The infusion of this funding and other new funding
will provide even more opportunities to renovate and build additional educational infrastructure. Most importantly this
funding will provide for renewed and new educational opportunities for the
citizens of Papua New Guinea in the near future and in particular for advancing the establishment of the Lutheran University
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Before Renovations
| Old Communications Building (Christian Radio) |
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| Currently being Renovated |
During Renovations (September)
| Progress of Renovations in September 2010 |
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During Renovations (Feb 2011)
| Progress of Renovations in February 2011 |
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What is Happening?
The Lutheran University
of Papua New Guinea is instituting a four-year Degree Granting Lutheran University. The initial faculty developments will
be in the area of Primary Education, Theology, Agribusiness and Nursing. It is now preparing to be open to students
of all faith and ethnic backgrounds.
The Lutheran University will encourage Professional Development and support
Advanced Degrees for Lectures in PNG who are committed to teach at the Lutheran University of Papua New Guinea. The
Lutheran University completed a contract Charles Sturt University from New South Wales to provide this service. This was an
extremely important undertaking as there is a critical need to upgrade the existing faculty and provide well-qualified lectures
with an emphasis on Early Childhood Education for the Lutheran University
A
Master Plan has been developed for new and renovated buildings so as to provide an attractive, comfortable, and well-planned
campus in Lae. The stakeholders desire the master plan to insure a sound, uniquie, quality, and a high-powered model-university
for Papua New Guinea. The Lutheran University has contract Peddle Thorp Architects to develop a staging plan that
will compliment the University's funding and business plan. The master
plan will determine how the Lutheran University’s infrastructure will be organized, maintained, and phased in.
It will give stakeholders an idea of how the University will look in 10, 20, or even 50 years.
Copyright ©2008,©2009,©2010,©2011, Lutheran University of Papua New Guinea. All rights reserved.
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