Papua New Guinea University of Natural Resources & Environment (UNRE) has a University song.
Launched last Saturday evening by Vice Chancellor Professor Philip Siaguru, the identity song is the initiative of UNRE’s Public Relations Office under its 2011 goal to develop new marketing strategies.
It was written and is sung by Isaac ‘Ise’ Yama of local band Naka Blood, popular for songs POM City, Seed of Greatness and more recently Niugini Ice, a marketing song for SP Brewery.
Head of Public Relations Lythia Suitawa said while the concept is new in Papua New Guinea, it is a tradition in many universities around the world to have an identity song that is used to motivate and inspire their staff but more so their students, in social activities.
“Commonly known as fight songs, these University songs invoke pride in students and staff and are used proudly in activities that members of the University community are involved in,” she said.
According to Ms Suitawa, the idea for a University fight song came about three years ago and talks were held with various artists, however, nothing came from those discussions for various reasons.
“Because of the University’s natural resources focus, the words were either a mouthful or the style of music was not appropriate; and we didn’t want just any song. We wanted a song that reflected what we stand for as an institution while at the same time appeal to the younger members of the University community, the students,” she said.
Ms Suitawa said Mr Yama was approached in March this year after hearing the Naka Blood’s style of music and seeing their popularity with young people.
“What he has produced for us is impressive. He was able to put together a song that truly captures the focus of this University. It was a mammoth task, judging from the difficulty other artists had but he was able to do it in less than a week. We are very pleased,” she said.
The University fight song is one of three initiatives the Public Relations Office set out to achieve at the beginning of this year under its goal to develop new marketing strategies.
The first, the development of a University website, was achieved in May through AusAID’s Australia Business Volunteers.
A third initiative is currently in progress and will be announced at a later date.
Meanwhile, a mascot search competition, open to all UNRE staff and students has been launched to complement the song.
The winning entry wins K400 in cash, sponsored by AP Engineering Limited.