Ok Tedi Mining Limited (OTML) has donated K550,000 to the University of Papua New Guinea’s (UPNG) Earth Sciences Division & Centre for Disaster Risk Reduction, upgrading the division’s Computer Laboratory for students and teaching staff.
The funds cover the purchase and installation of 28 desktops, seven laptops, and one uninterruptible power supply (UPS) device. Currently there are only six desktops that caters to the division’s 26 final-year students, 21 third-year students, and 20 second-year students.
Manager Mine Technical Services, James Bu, Manager Production Services, James Waisime, and Manager Corporate Affairs, Dexter Wagambie, attended the University’s Open Day on Friday October 11th to announce the donation.
Mr Wagambie said, “This donation complements OTML’s vision to create a sustainable future for our people, by positively impacting tertiary level students and mould them to be the workforce that we envision them to be in the future.”
OTML’s presence at the Open Day was also an opportunity for the three Manager’s to inspire students eager to learn more about the mine’s operations, geological activities, and training programs.
The impact of OTML’s Graduate Development Scheme on the development of graduates and the benefits that the mine operation gains from these professionals over the years was highlighted.
“The GDS Program is all about building leaders in the industry. The current Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Kedi Ilimbit, including Mr Bu, Mr Waisime, myself, and many other leaders in OTML are products of the GDS program,” Mr Wagambie said.
Head of the Earth Science Division Associate Professor Joseph Espi said, “Ok Tedi is an integral part of our vision to be the best because Ok Tedi is a nationally owned company and the largest open-pit mine in PNG right now with a 98% national workforce and national CEO. These are reasons enough to inspire our students excel in their chosen fields of study.”
OTML is committed to maintaining an industry-institution relationship with key tertiary institutions, such as UPNG, to ensure they produce quality graduates that are ‘industry ready’.
