Nicholls Welcomed International Students and Dignitaries

Dr. Clement Waine, STEM consultant to National Department of Education of Papua New Guinea, gifting a plaque with the national bird of Papua New Guinea to Jay Clune PhD, President of Nicholls State University

THIBODAUX, La. – Nicholls State University hosted a meet and greet for its fall 2023 incoming international students and their dignitaries on Friday, Aug. 25, at The Brew coffee shop in Ellender Memorial Library. Invitees included students from Indonesia, Venezuela, Cyprus, Cameroon, and Papua New Guinea. 

Nicholls’ president, vice provost, vice president of student affairs, assistant vice presidents, deans, department heads, faculty members from the department of sciences and technology, and staff from admissions and international student services attended the function to show extended support and appreciation to these students.

A group of 43 students from Papua New Guinea’s various STEM-focused National Schools of Excellence were given scholarships by their National Department of Education to study at 2 U.S. universities for 4 years, with 13 students attending Nicholls State University and 30 attending South Dakota State University. These students will have the opportunity to study overseas for specific courses not available in their home country. 

“We are excited to welcome all of our new international students to Nicholls this semester and are thrilled that this special group of STEM students from Papua New Guinea selected us as their school of choice. We are lucky to have them here, and I know that the Nicholls community will make them feel at home,” said Marilyn Gonzalez, director of Nicholls International Student Services.

Several members of Papua New Guinea’s National Department of Education and National Schools of Excellence STEM program traveled with students to aid in their transition to Nicholls campus:

  • Kive Kererembo, Assistant Secretary for Secondary Schools
  • Dr. Clement Waine, STEM Consultant, National Department of Education
  • Benny Rayappan, Assistant Secretary, National Schools of Excellence
  • Jayson Kopeap, STEM Advisor
  • Martha Mago, STEM Coordinator
  • Rose Paka, Office Administrator

International students invited to the meet and greet included:

  • Benedict Alaric, Marine Biology, Indonesia
  • Justin Petil, Computer Information Systems, Papua New Guinea
  • Victoria Arrieta, Biochemistry, Venezuela
  • Ezekiel Simbiken, Chemistry, Papua New Guinea
  • Allan Bonny, Petroleum Engineering Technology, Papua New Guinea
  • Jodie Somau, Biology – Pre-Pharmacy, Papua New Guinea
  • Medlyne Burin, Biochemistry, Papua New Guinea
  • Malvin Suluwe, Chemistry, Papua New Guinea
  • Joey Kiele, Chemistry, Papua New Guinea
  • Yvonne Tsirumits, Petroleum Engineering Technology, Papua New Guinea
  • Davery Marvey, Cell & Molecular Biology, Papua New Guinea
  • Leontine Tobby, Petroleum Engineering Technology, Papua New Guinea
  • Jemilda Naperaisa, Cell & Molecular Biology, Papua New Guinea
  • Franck-Cedric Wategang Pamboro, Computer Information Systems, Cameroon
  • Maria Nikolaou, Mathematics – Computer Science, Cyprus
  • Sebastian Yana, Petroleum Engineering Technology, Papua New Guinea
  • Stanley Nyford, Cell & Molecular Biology, Papua New Guinea

For more information on Nicholls International Student Services, please visit https://www.nicholls.edu/international/.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, September 13, 2023

MEDIA CONTACT: Payton Suire

Media Relations & Publications Coordinator, 

985.448.4141 or payton.suire@nicholls.edu

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