Bumbu Campus Honours Forestry Education Pioneer with Frank Corin Library Dedication
The Papua New Guinea University of Technology (PNGUoT) has honoured one of the nation's pioneering forestry educators with the official dedication of the Frank Corin Library at its Bumbu Campus, recognising his lasting contribution to forestry and technical education in Papua New Guinea.
The dedication ceremony on the 17th of July, attended by university leaders, government representatives, staff, students and invited guests, celebrated the remarkable legacy of Mr. Frank Corin, whose vision and leadership helped establish the former Timber Industry Training College (TITC), the institution that later became PNGUoT's Bumbu Campus.
Bumbu Campus Director Mr. Simeon Morean said the naming of the library pays tribute to a leader whose commitment laid the foundation for generations of forestry professionals. "Today, we honour an outstanding pioneer whose vision, dedication and leadership established the foundation of the Timber Industry Training College. By naming this library in his honour, we ensure that future generations of students will continue to recognise and uphold the values he represented: leadership, excellence, integrity and professional service," Mr. Simeon said.
Mr. Simeon reflected on the history of the institution, explaining that the Timber Industry Training College was established in 1978 as a bilateral aid project between the Governments of Papua New Guinea and New Zealand following Papua New Guinea's Independence.
Mr. Frank Corin served as the College's founding Principal from 1978 to 1983, leading the development of technical training programmes that prepared Papua New Guineans for employment in the growing forestry and timber industries. During this period, graduates were recruited into logging companies, government agencies, construction firms and manufacturing industries across the country. After returning to New Zealand and later assisting with the establishment of a similar institution in Solomon Islands, Mr. Corin returned to Papua New Guinea in 1992 to continue his leadership.
His guidance was instrumental in the 1996 amalgamation of the college with PNGUoT, when it became the Timber Forestry Training College under the University's administration. Over more than four decades, the institution has produced thousands of skilled graduates who have gone on to build successful careers in forestry, government, business and community leadership, while others have continued their academic pathways into higher qualifications.
Mr. Morean said the library will serve as a lasting reminder of Mr. Corin's commitment to education and nation-building."The Frank Corin Library is more than a collection of books. It is a modern learning and research hub that honours our past while supporting future generations of learners through knowledge, innovation and discovery," he said.
Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor and Dean of the Faculty of Built Environment, Professor Cletus Gonduan, commended the decision to honour Mr. Corin, noting that institutions thrive when they preserve the legacy of those who helped build them. He encouraged students to value both the library and the knowledge it contains, describing them as gifts that must be treasured and passed on to future generations.
University Librarian Mr. Percy Roary said the naming of the library marks a historic milestone for the Bumbu Campus and reinforces the University's commitment to strengthening learning, research and academic excellence.
The ceremony concluded with the official unveiling of the Frank Corin Library plaque, ensuring that the legacy of one of Papua New Guinea's most influential forestry educators will continue to inspire students, staff and future generations.