SILAG COMMISSIONS NEW 400KVA GENERATOR SET

The Somare Institute of Leadership and Governance (SILAG) previously known as the Pacific Institute of Leadership and Governance (PILAG) has been undergoing a major facelift for the last five years under the astute and visionary leadership of the current CEO, Mr. Michael Barobe.

The Institution has evolved and transformed in all areas to meet the government’s expectation of delivering competency-based public service training programs to capacitate public servants at the national and sub-national levels of the Government.

One of the key changes is the implementation of the online learning management system (LMS) that has enabled SILAG to deliver training to all parts of the country where there is internet connectivity. SILAG has partnered with DATACO to move towards offering all programs online at its Waigani Main Campus and the four regional centers. SILAG is also upskilling all its trainers to deliver online learning.

The Institution aims to fully implement online teaching and learning by the end of 2023. When fully implemented, the LMS will enable public servants to attend classes, submit assessments, and even sit for exams from the comforts of their offices or homes.

The single biggest impediment to effective online teaching and learning is the unreliable power supply and the rolling power outages experienced daily from the main grid which not only causes disruptions to business but poses significant risks to the sensitive ICT equipment.

Whilst The SILAG Management understands that the Government is working tirelessly to address the perennial power woes, it was also felt that SILAG had to make an investment in PNG Power redundancy arrangements that will ensure power reliability and protect ICT assets. Therefore, the SILAG Management recently purchased a brand-new Gurdian generator set, with a capacity of 400 KVA, at the cost of K89,000.00 which is twice the current power load and caters for future power demand.

The new 400 KVA Gurdian machine was commissioned on October 3, 2023, during a power outage, and it is now in operation, carrying the load for the entire Main Campus, including student dormitories.

SILAG CEO Mr. Michael Barobe handed over the generator set keys to SILAG Property Buildings and Facilities Mr. Paul Gonapa today in the presence of the ground staff and the SILAG Directors.

He commended Mr. Gonapa and his team for their perseverance in maintaining and managing the SILAG facilities and he believes the new generator set will be treated in the same manner.

Mr. Barobe emphasized that “SILAG is committed to ensuring that our students fully experience everything SILAG can offer and maintain our pace in how we deliver training within the given timeframe. There are air conditioning units and big screens in all our training rooms, and we want our students to be able to enjoy the luxury of studying in a comfortable training room while utilizing our online services from the SILAG state-of-the-art library or tuning into our online programs without distraction relating to electricity supply”.

It is anticipated that the constant power outages will not have a major impact on SILAG business including public sector training delivery. Our staff and students can now enjoy uninterrupted power supply for the next five years.