Friday, December 13, 2019

President's Speech

Lincoln - KOICA 7 batch class president
Good morning everyone

On behalf of the KOICA 7th Batch class of 2018, I would like to first and foremost thank the Almighty God for the far He has brought us, and to also thank all the people who made this program a success. To the university administration, led by the president of Handong Global University, for the wisdom you bring, and the vision that you layout for Handong Global University, we thank you. To our professors, who give your all, each and every day, laboring to provide us with tremendous education, and pushing us to do our best, even on the days we don’t want to learn, all the while taking the extra time to build relationships with us, that for some, will last a lifetime, we thank you. To the Graduate school of Global Development and Entrepreneurship staff, who work tirelessly, coordinating us and our events, while selflessly supporting us in every possible way, we thank you, and may God bless you all.

And to us graduates, we made it! Not by our might, but by the power of God. As a group, we indeed started from the very bottom. Think about how far we have come, individually and as a class. Looking back to our first semester, it seems like it was just yesterday. There was the first class, the first football game, the first kimchi, the second kimchi, the third kimchi, the figuring out that it was actually delicious. 

Yeah! Our 17 months at Handong Global University were no walk in the park.  We were presented with many challenges that we had to overcome. I cannot even begin to imagine how many families were torn apart because of deadlines. Things may not always go the way you planned, but I know we can all agree that this class is resilient. We survived numerous typhoons and a minor earthquake. The fact that we made it here, is just a testimony to our perseverance, commitment to excellence, and above all the grace of God. 
KOICA 7 Batch

My dear colleagues, we are all destined for greatness. Each and every one of us has the potential to change the world, and Handong Global University has given us the mantle. Handong has changed us and bestowed us with the huge responsibility of changing the world. But as you know, in order to change the world, we have to change our families first, change our communities, and then change our countries, and through this, our continents and the world at large will be changed. We have all grown into powerful, intellectual individuals who will make a massive footprint on this earth. 

Tables turn, bridges burn, you live and learn and oftentimes, it’s the journey that teaches you a lot about your destination. So, as we part ways, equipped with priceless knowledge, we are embarking on a mission to change the world. Colleagues lets strive to be the best version of ourselves, let's fly through the turbulence, and let’s live an exemplary life because we are victors. Be phenomenal or you’ll be forgotten! Congratulations class of 2018. God bless you all! Gamsahamnidaa!

Thursday, December 12, 2019

2019 Graduation Ceremony

KOICA 7th Batch
Today 13th December 2019, marks another achievement I got in my educational journey. It was the 2019 Graduation ceremony for KOICA- Handong Global University Master Degree Program in Techno-Entrepreneurship Competency based on Electrical Engineering and ICT Convergence.

Many people achieved goals in life differently and they make it through various means. Some got it through sports like soccer, rugby, boxing or swimming. Others through business, for me it was through education. It was a great achievement, I received through a lot of commitment, dedication and with the help of my God. Without His profound guidance and wisdom, I cannot go this far. My God is good, He is Yahweh, and the alpha and omega. He is the beginning and the end. There is none like him. Praise be unto His name. 


Today's graduation was awesome, it's a dream come true for me. After I completed my undergrad in 2012, I thought my self that I must move on. I must get a master's degree. Today I got it. Yes, I did it.

The journey was not easy, as I left my wife and 3 kids back home. It's a new feeling unlike the times I went overseas to study as a single person. It's tough since I left part of me, my family was back home in Solomon Islands. 

But all in all, I thank my God for his grace and mercy throughout the course of my study. He is always there for me. He never leaves me. And I believed he will continue.

To God be the glory, great things he has done.  

Wednesday, December 11, 2019

Christmas Festival in the Islands

Solomon Islands is one of the island nations in the Pacific that honors Christmas celebrations across the entire country with excitement. Christmas is considered to be the greatest time of the year to experience joy and love and a time to exchange gifts in commemoration of what Christians believe is “the greatest gift” of all. In the happy isles, events such as parties, sports, church programs make Christmas the most enjoyable time of the year.

Scattered across the crystal white and beautiful black sandy beaches, the Islanders joyfully gathered with ethnic families, close friends, communities to enjoy Christmas festive under the bright sunlight nourished with the cool breeze. At lunchtime, the islanders will be served with a mixture of barbecue fish, chicken, pork, sausage, melon, cucumber, and other vegetables. It is a time of extreme fun with lovely celebrations.

Besides having great fun on the beaches with food and drinks, soccer fields are another place of hosting entertainment for athletes. Communities will organize soccer tournaments and knockouts with great and amazing prizes for grab. Usually, a 7-A-side soccer knockout tournament is common in the Islands. A team of 7 players playing for 14 minutes against the opponent on a knockout basis. The team who wins will progress on to the next stage, while the loser will be eliminated. The 7-a-side soccer tournament is always competitive due to the fact that only winner will move on. However, soccer is not the only organized sport during Christmas but others such as volleyball, futsal, beach soccer, basketball, and boxing are also organized to provide entertainment.
Kwai Island beach soccer court


Church programs are another form of celebration the Christians organized as they mark the Christmas festive. Crusades, open-air programs, campfire and rallies are types of programs the church host to mark the festival. Twenty-fifth (25) of December is Christmas day where all organized events will bloom into massive celebration. It is indeed a joyous celebration for island nation.

On the street corners, in front of shops, the beaches, people strolling happily in groups as they greet each other with smiles saying “happy Christmas” as they pass by. Even passengers on buses will wave to their loved ones across the streets. It is really a moment of happiness.

Christmas festive is truly the time everyone is looking forward to, prepare and hopeful to enjoy great fun throughout the month of December.