National Capital District (NCD) City Manager, Mr. Ravu Frank has commended the University of Technology for its commitment to producing high quality engineering training at the University. Mr. Frank expressed high commendation to Chancellor Sam Koim and Vice Chancellor Professor Ora Renagi for initiating a first ever professional accreditation program for engineering training in the country. The City Manager, a civil engineer by profession, made the remarks while welcoming members of Engineers Australia who were on transit to Lae on Tuesday 3rd of September 2024 for the accreditation review program. “On behalf of NCD Governor and the NCDC Board I extended a warm welcome to our visitors. Thank you for your presence in our city and may I wish you every success in your engagement with the Papua New Guinea University of Technology.” Mr. Frank said. The Engineers Australia Panel Members are in the country for an evaluation of the engineering programs at Unitech to determine whether PNGUoT produces graduates who meet international benchmarks to practice. The team will be assessing the quality of teaching, the relevance of the curriculum, and the effectiveness of student support services such as industry support. They will also review the qualifications and expertise of the Faculty Members to ensure that they are well equipped to deliver high quality education. Mr. Frank said the arrangement is indeed a step towards making our engineers to be competently qualified with added dignity to the engineering training at the University of Technology and the preparedness of students to meet the higher requirements at the completion of their studies. The City Manager stressed on the significance of the engineering profession to nation building and took time to appreciate the leadership of Unitech in particular the Engineering Faculty for advancing the accreditation process with Engineering Australia. “This is certainly a positive development for engineering in Papua New Guinea in value and dignity and I wish everyone involved every success,” Mr. Frank said. Thanking the City Manager for welcoming the visitors, University Chancellor, Sam Koim reiterated that it was a very important moment for them as well as for the country. “I believe your (Engineering Australia Panel) coming here and assessing us at the university is a very pivotal moment,” said Mr. Koim. He added that gaining the accreditation requirements of Engineering Australia would be a turning point for engineering studies in PNG many of whose budding engineers are going overseas for further studies. The trend can be reversed through this benchmark arrangement for appropriate international recognition and PNG could instead be attracting others in the Pacific and Asia “You have the experience and exposure to assess, so this current assessment is not just a formality, but it is a thorough evaluation that could potentially lead us to have a full accreditation under the Steve Washington Accord. “That’s something that we are looking forward to. So, I echo the words of the City Manager on the implications of this accreditation as profound and signifying our dedication to provide a quality education that meets the demands of a rapidly evolving world that we are living in,” said the Chancellor.