Pacific Adventist University (PAU) celebrated its largest graduation to date on November 19, welcoming a total of 300 new graduates to the PAU alumni family, with a further 139 graduates from Sonoma—a PAU affiliate.
During the graduation ceremony, the vice minister of national planning, Kinoka Feo presented a cheque for K2.5 million to PAU. The donation will fund the building of a lifestyle medicine centre and wellness retreat, which will serve as a hub for promoting preventative medicine, healthy living and wellbeing in Papua New Guinea. The donation will also support the university’s upcoming 40th anniversary celebrations in 2024.
Mr Feo expressed his admiration for PAU’s dedication to academic excellence and its commitment to fostering a wholistic learning environment that nurtures students’ physical, mental and spiritual well-being. He emphasised the importance of lifestyle medicine in promoting preventive healthcare and addressing chronic diseases, highlighting the significance of the newly established lifestyle medicine centre and wellness retreat. The new facility will include a swimming pool, grandstand, lifestyle amenities, carpark, lifestyle track, gym, clinic and consulting rooms.
PAU vice-chancellor Professor Lohi Matainaho expressed his gratitude for the generous donation, acknowledging the “profound impact it will have on the university’s ongoing development and ability to serve the community”. He emphasised the importance of partnering with government and community stakeholders to address critical healthcare needs and promote healthier lifestyles.
The graduation ceremony concluded with a message of inspiration and encouragement for the new graduates, urging them to embrace their newfound knowledge and skills to make a positive impact on the South Pacific and the world. The graduates were reminded of their responsibility to uphold the values of PAU, including excellence, integrity and service to others.
