Pacific Adventist University

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Pacific Adventist University
Motto Educate to Serve
Established 1984[1]
Type Private
Religious affiliation Seventh-day Adventist Church
Vice-Chancellor Dr. Ben Thomas
Students 450[2]
Location Port Moresby, National Capital District, Papua New Guinea
Campus Koiari Park Campus
Former names Pacific Adventist College
Website
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Pacific Adventist University (PAU) is a tertiary institution located 21 kilometres (30 minutes) outside Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, and operated by the South Pacific Division of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Both the faculty and the student body are international in composition. While most students come from Papua New Guinea and other Pacific island nations such as Tonga, Fiji, Samoa, Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands, others have come from Africa, Australia, Pakistan, China, the Philippines, and the United States.

Campus

The campus is also known as a bird sanctuary. One species of bird at the campus is unique to this area of the world. Mike Tarburton, who is also known as the "bird man" had stayed there and carefully monitored the bird life. He has now transferred to Australia for retirement, and his work has been taken up by his students. Campus is often visited by bird watchers from all over the world.

The university is also home to the Pacific Adventist University Church, the services of which are conducted in English. There is also a second church in which services are conducted in Tok Pisin. Both churches are currently pastored by Pr Jeffrey Paul, who is himself a graduate of P.A.U.

Farming

PAU is home to Port Moresby city's fresh produce. Every Sunday mornings as early as 5 am, city residents queue up to bag their portion for the week. Many expatriates, business houses and the well-to-do in the city enjoy the fresh vegetables and fruits. And paid breakfast is also served by residents while the market run its cause. Thus, PAU enjoys a good portion of financial economical benefit apart from the appropriations from its church and the fees.

History

The institution was established as Pacific Adventist College, a college of higher education in 1983 and given a charter as a university by the Papua New Guinea government in 1997. Currently bachelor's and (some) masters degrees are offered in Business, Education, Science, Health Science (Nursing), Theology and Humanities.

Academic divisions

The university is divided into the following schools:[3]

  • School of Art and Humanities
  • School of Business
  • School of Education
  • School of Health Science
  • School of Science and Technology
  • School of Theology

Publications

A Pacific Adventist University Monograph Series has begun publication with faculty member Jennifier Jones' study of Seventh-day Adventist Church music in Papua New Guinea. This volume was co-published by the Institute of Papua New Guinea Studies.[4]

At the twenty-fifth anniversary of founding of the University (August 2009) a new electronic journal was launched called Davaria: Journal of Pacific Adventist University.

At the same time a further communication venture was launched by the university with the setting up of a Community Radio Station—Radio 2G; 97.9 FM

Former principals of Pacific Adventist College

  • Ray Wilkinson
  • Alan Sonter
  • Owen Hughes

Former Vice-Chancellors

  • Owen Hughes
  • Harold Peters
  • Nemani Tausere
  • Branimir Schubert
  • Ben Thomas (current)

References

  1. ↑ http://www.pau.ac.pg/history.htm
  2. ↑ http://www.pau.ac.pg/documents/PAU%20IN%20Touch%201.2005.pdf
  3. ↑ Adventist Online Yearbook
  4. ↑ J. J. Jones, The Theory and Practice of Music in the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Papua New Guinea Pacific Adventist University Monograph Series 1 / Apwitiheri 8(Boroko: Pacific Adventist University / Boroko: Institute of Papua New Guinea Studies, 2004).

See also

Universities in Papua New Guinea

Adventist Colleges and Universities
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