The Vice Chancellor of the University of Papua New Guinea, Professor Ross Hynes, this afternoon Monday 30 April 2007, officially launched the Solomon Islands Tsunami Appeal Fundraising Drive.
The launching was held at the University of Papua New Guinea, Waigani Campus and was attended by the Solomon Islands High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, HE Mr Bernard Bata'anisia, the Registrar of the University of Papua New Guinea, Mrs Jennifer Popat, the Vice President of the University of Papua New Guinea Students Representative Council (SRC), Mr Nicholas Embia as well as the Solomon Islands students and the University staff members and students.
In launching the appeal, the Vice Chancellor stated that the University has had a close connection with the Government and people of Solomon Islands in providing tertiary education over the years and such felt a duty to assist Solomon Islands during this time of disaster. The Vice Chancellor later presented a cheque of K3, 000 to kick start the Tsunami Appeal fundraising activities. He also appealed to the University staff and students as well as the University Centres throughout Papua New Guinea to assist in the Tsunami Appeal Fundraising activities.
Solomon Islands High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, HE Mr Bernard Bata'anisia, later responded and thanked the University of Papua New Guinea and the Vice- Chancellor for organizing the Tsunami Appeal fundraising drive and commended the University for the Initiative taken in launching the fundraising drive. He added that the assistance will go a long way in helping the Tsunami victims in Solomon Islands.
As part of its Fundraising drive, the University in the coming weeks, will also be doing a number of activities, such as wheel borrow drive in the City of Port Moresby, general appeal to business houses in Port Moresby as well as holding a concert at the University to help raise funds for the Tsunami victims in Solomon Islands.