Government of the Federated States of Micronesia

Nena Gave COM-FSM 1997 Commencement Address

PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM Information Service): May 28, 1997 - FSM President Jacob Nena addressed the graduating class of the College of Micronesia-Federated States of Micronesia (COM-FSM) on May 21, 1997, at the COM-FSM new national Campus in Palikir.

In his address he congratulated the 218 graduates and expressed his appreciation to the graduates for their inviting him to celebrate their college achievement. He told the graduates that the process of learning does not stop, it is a continuing process.

Nena pointed out to the graduates that jobs are not abundant like in previous years. As government must depend more and more on local revenues and less on foreign aid or Compact funding, there will be a transition from public sector to private sector. "You will find this to be a very unpleasant transition in your state and national governments as the size of operation is being reduced," the President said.

"The government may no longer be the major job provider. Only the highly trained personnel in specialized fields such as law, engineering, marine biology, accounting will be opened. But rather begins to assist citizens to establish active commercial operations on the private sector," Nena told the graduates.

He illustrated eggs production as an opportunity area, saying that as an example, if one produces five thousand dozens of eggs and sells for three dollars a dozen, he will be making $15,000.00 a month.

President congratulated the Chairman and members of the Board of Regents, the President and faculty members, and family, friends and all who gathered to witness the ceremony.

Attending the commencements were Vice President Leo A. Falcam and Mrs. Falcam, traditional leaders, Pohnpei Governor and Mrs. Pangelinan.

The Valedictory address was by Mary Rose Nakayama. Of the 218 graduates, 12 were on the honor roll list.

Among the graduates, 14 were Associate of Science (AS) degrees in accounting; 50 received their Associate of Arts (AA) degrees in liberal arts; 15 AA degrees in library/HCOP; three AA degrees in education; 13 AA degrees in business; one degree in agriculture; five AA degrees in education; one AS degree in nursing and three degrees in marine science. Nine received their third year certificate of achievement.