Atoifi Adventist College of Nursing celebrates 5th graduation ceremony
Atoifi Nursing Graduation class of 2022
The Atoifi Adventist College of Nursing, an affiliated campus of Pacific Adventist University in Papua New Guinea, recently celebrated its 5th graduation ceremony since the Nursing degree program was introduced in 2015. This February graduation was special, as it had been delayed from December of the previous year due to the Covid crisis.
The highlight of the ceremony was the graduation of 21 students, with a number of them scoring distinctions and credits for the first time in the school's history. The graduation was graced by the presence and address of Mr. George Pego, the deputy Director of the Nursing Council from the Ministry of Health and Medical Services. In his speech, he commended the school for producing quality graduates who have performed outstanding work in clinics and hospitals around the country.
The graduates included two overseas students, one from Vanuatu and another from Kiribati, with half of them sponsored by their governments and the other half supported by their parents and private donors. The demand for nurses both locally and overseas has led the church to fund the construction of new dormitories, which will increase the number of students studying on the campus.
A special moment during the ceremony was the baptism of James, a member of another denomination who is in critical medical condition. James had received generous care from the hospital staff, including these graduates, and requested baptism. It was an emotional moment as his family witnessed him bravely going into the water of baptism.
James giving his life to the Lord
On behalf of TPUM, Mr. Joseph Pitakia, Associate Education Director, expressed his gratitude for the support that made the graduation a success. He also thanked the Adventist high schools for producing and sending students to Atoifi Nursing School.
Mr Pitakia said that the graduation was a significant achievement, given the challenges posed by the pandemic, and a testimony to the quality education provided by Atoifi Adventist College of Nursing.