The Lutheran University Council was officially sworn in today in Port Moresby, marking a significant milestone for the Evangelical Lutheran Church's vision of having its own university.
The Lutheran University of PNG (LUPNG) was established in 2022 through the amalgamation of three Evangelical Lutheran institutions:
- Balob Teachers College,
- Lutheran School of Nursing, and
- Martin Luther Seminary.
This blog has been following this story since PNG prime minister James Marape promised the people of Morobe a Lutheran University in January 2020.
Here is the leading story about PNG's 8th university in the making, the Lutheran University of PNG.
Council Appointment and Priorities
The formal Council was appointed by the Chancellor of LUPNG, Dr Eric Kwa, in November 2022.
The Council comprises people from various sectors in the country, including representatives from Divine Word University, which has been a great friend of the Lutheran Church in setting up LUPNG.
The membership is drawn from the Lutheran Church's membership and other denominations that can contribute meaningfully to the establishment of the Lutheran University.
Dr Kwa stated that the immediate priorities for the Council include the progressive work on merging the amalgamated higher learning institutions.
Three different independent institutions were merged into one, and the Council has the task of working together with different interest groups to ensure that LUPNG is delivered as a single unit.
The Council has been working closely with the Department of Higher Education, Research and Technology (DHERST), including Divine Word University, to ensure the successful establishment of LUPNG.
Challenges and Reassurance
Despite the challenges that may arise from previous boards, management, students, and staff, Dr Kwa reassured everyone that the Council is not here to disrupt operations but to work with them.
He also thanked the Marape-Rosso government for recognising the Church's work in development and Lutheran Bishop Right Reverend Dr Jack Urame for his continued assistance.
Lutheran University Council Swearing-in
Obviously, the official swearing-in of the Lutheran University Council is a significant step towards achieving the Evangelical Lutheran Church's vision of having its own university.
The Council's priority in merging the amalgamated institutions is crucial in ensuring the successful establishment of LUPNG.
All in all, the establishment of LUPNG will undoubtedly contribute significantly to the development of education in PNG and provide opportunities for students to achieve their educational and career goals.
