By Michelle Mills
Feathers, shells and body paint aren’t the usual attire for a graduation celebration, but combined with tribal singing and dancing, it added the perfect festive spirit to the graduation formalities in Papua New Guinea.
The celebration was held for 13 graduates of the Faculty of Education’s Master of Learning Innovation (MLI), a joint collaboration between QUT and the Divine Word University in Madang.
The celebration in the capital city of Port Moresby was accompanied by two lively sing-sing groups dressed in colourful traditional costumes and who provided a colourful display during the presentation.
QUT’s Associate Professor Bob Elliott, Professor Wendy Patton and Professor Vi McLean were hosted by the country’s Department of Education Secretary Dr Joseph Pagelio, a QUT graduate who was awarded the Faculty of Education’s Outstanding Alumnus in 2006.
The tailored two-year MLI course was taught locally in Waigani and was funded by AusAID (the Australian Agency for International Development).
The participants were from the Department of Education’s Curriculum Division and Professor Elliott said the course was specifically designed to help them lead others in the nation’s curriculum reforms.
“A big aspect of the reform is the move to outcome based education,” Professor Elliott said.
“It is also hoped the curriculum reforms will result in more engaged learning. This is anticipated this will better assist the community by having youth who are engaged with the needs of the society and address the issues that it faces.”
For further information on the Master of Learning Innovation and other degrees, visit the Faculty of Education website. | 
