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Gender UPNG School of Business and Public Policy

Student’s passion for equality makes a mark at UPNG

Mapusaga Tanuvasa: a strong sense of justice and desire for equity.

Mapusaga Tanuvasa has seen the realities of inequity and exclusion up close and personal.

“I’ve witnessed my mother,” he said, reminiscing about his childhood, “she has a degree, but no matter how many years and how hard she worked they never promoted her to anything above an officer.”

“They gave her the extra workload, but she never got promoted to manager until very recently.”

While this was not a unique situation, it was discordant with Mapusaga’s sense of justice and sparked a desire to see all Papua New Guineans given a level playing field to fulfil their potential, so it is not entirely surprising that he decided undertake a law degree at the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG).

This year, his fourth and final of study, he was given an opportunity to pursue gender equity, oppose discrimination and permanently influence campus life.

Mapusaga was one of 35 UPNG students and staff invited to form a committee to develop the Gender Equity and Social Inclusion (GESI) Policy and mechanisms for it to be enforced.

The committee researched international best practice and drafted a policy specific to the UPNG context.

Committee members were tasked to work on specific sections of the policy, including disability, workplace harassment, gender-based violence, sexual harassment, and safety and security.

Members of the UPNG GESI Committee after a meeting at UPNG in September last year.

The new approach echoes the PNG Government’s own commitment to equality, including through the Gender Equity and Social Inclusion Policy.

The UPNG Policy, which was developed with support by the Papua New Guinea-Australia Partnership, has the full backing of the university’s executive and is expected to be finalised in early 2020.

In June, speaking ahead of a UPNG-hosted discussion event on gender equity, vice-chancellor Professor Frank Griffin said that women and men need to work side-by-side.

The qualities of individuals need to be acknowledged rather than their superficial differences.

“Working together allows the country to move in a direction where gender equity and gender equality will become more prominent in the years to come,” Professor Griffin said.

“To be a free thinker, at the university level, it doesn’t matter if you are male or female.”

For Mapusaga participation on the GESI committee was an opportunity to promote equality and inclusion as a responsibility to be shouldered by all people.

He knows that now the policy is on paper the hard work is in its implementation, which will address the issues of today and improve life for future students.

“The GESI Policy is written but it must also be implemented,” he said.

“I don’t think about what I would do tomorrow or next year, I think about what would happen for the future generations when they come into the university.

“What we need to change first and foremost is the mindsets,” he continued.

“It just takes a few likeminded individuals – starting with just one – and if that person is capable of influencing other people we can form a domain of influence.”

He identified the lecturers as key influencers of student attitudes – viewing them as crucial advocates and allies for gender equity and social inclusion.

“Thousands of students pass through the university every year – thousands leave educated,” Mapusaga said.

“You can change the mind of thousands of people or more in your lifetime being a lecturer.”

As his time as an undergraduate law student draws to a close, Mapusaga can be proud of the role he has played in the promotion of gender equity and social inclusion.

The hope is that the GESI Policy will remain as an important guide to attitudes and behaviour long after he’s left – a positive legacy for the institution.

Success will mean people are not excluded or unfairly treated because of their sex or gender, special needs, sexual orientation, cultural background, religious views, medical conditions or any other perceived difference.

It is certain that Mapusaga’s passion for equality and justice won’t waver – he’ll carry that with him wherever he goes.

“I’ve been writing about discrimination since my first year at UPNG,” he said.

“I don’t care if it takes me a year or many years, it’s something I want to keep pushing forward.”

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UPNG School of Business and Public Policy

2020 Graduate Diploma of Economic & Public Policy

Graduate Diploma in Economics & Public Policy program

Earlier this year Charles Wapinen became first student to complete a post-graduate economics and public policy qualification from the University of Papua New Guinea.The Australian Government, in partnership with the Government of Papua New Guinea through the Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct, has made ten scholarships available to public sector managers for the 2020 Graduate Diploma in Economics and Public Policy.Apply today | http://pacificprecinct.org/gdepp-2020/

Posted by Australian High Commission Papua New Guinea on Tuesday, 24 September 2019

Scholarship applications for the Graduate Diploma of Economic and Public Policy are now closed.

For more information about programs at the University of Papua New Guinea’s School of Business & Public Policy, please contact Lisa Marie Kila – Ph: 3267 299 / 3267 305 | E: sbpp@upng.ac.pg

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Press Releases UPNG School of Business and Public Policy

New UPNG library boosts future leaders

Benedict David and Professor Frank Griffin open new library in the School of Business.

A state of the art library was opened at the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) recently – providing a boost to academic research and a modern learning environment for future leaders.

The new library is housed in UPNG’s new School of Business & Public Policy, which was constructed with support from the Papua New Guinea – Australia Partnership through the Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct.

The library was ceremonially opened by UPNG Vice-Chancellor Professor Frank Griffin and Australian High Commission Minister Counsellor Benedict David.

Mr David said the new library and School of Business will support UPNG to continue its proud tradition of producing graduates who are technically skilled and capable leaders.

“UPNG has been at the heart of shaping Papua New Guinean leaders for more than 50 years and we are proud to support this to continue through the PNG-Australia Partnership,” he said.

The library is filled with books and digital resources.

“The quality of these facilities reflects the ambitions of the University and its place as one of the core institutions of the Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct.

“It is a hub for future generations of economic and public policy experts, and a symbol of the strong partnership between our two countries.”

The new library is a branch of the existing Sir Michael Somare Library and provides modern spaces for research, discussion and collaboration.

It is equipped with more than 3,000 books and also provides students and staff access to a range of online databases.

Molly Woko, a technician at the new library, said she shares her expertise with staff and students to fully utilise the new facilities, which can enhance their research and learning.

Librarian Molly Woko believes the library will modernise learning and research for staff and students.

“It is important for the SBPP to have a library due to the changes in academic environment and the increasing number of students,” she said.

She said, “This new library will enhance learning, teaching and research and most importantly information can be easily accessed when needed and I am privileged to be part of that learning process for students and staff through the my line of work.”

Members of the Precinct’s governing bodies were also in attendance, including Archbishop Douglas Young, Fr Jan Czuba, Jean Kekedo, Serena Sumanop and Professor Lekshmi N. Pillai.

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Australian National University UPNG School of Business and Public Policy

Top UPNG students return from summer school in Australia

Olivia Kakalave (second right), and the 2019 ANU-UPNG Summer School students in front of Parliament House in Canberra.

In January, a group of 10 high-achieving undergraduates from the University of Papua New Guinea’s (UPNG) School of Business & Public Policy – attended a summer school program at the Australian National University (ANU) in Canberra.

The summer school program is part of the partnership between the two universities and is aimed at enhancing Business and Public Policy learning for UPNG students, and strengthening the people-to-people links at the tertiary academic level.

Under this partnership ANU academics are attached each year at UPNG to teach economics and public policy subjects to UPNG Business and Public Policy students.

Olivia Kakalave, a public policy management student who is now in her final year of studies was among those who attended the summer school program in January.

She said the partnership has been beneficial for her over the course of her studies and that the summer school program was enlightening.

“I think it’s a good opportunity for students like myself to be exposed to such programs. If we go out and see what it’s like there, when we come back we can make a difference in the field that we are studying,” she said.

Miss Kakalave said this exposure will build capability and boost students’ self-esteem.

“I’m looking forward to coming back and sharing these ideas with our junior students through our association – we can try to disseminate information, give hope to others and motivate them to make a difference.”

The summer school program consists of coursework to improve critical research skills, and extracurricular events which expose students to new ways of thinking and provide opportunities to build networks.

It inspires students, exposes them to new intellectual challenges, and strengthens their critical thinking and academic capabilities.The ANU-UPNG partnership and the summer school program are supported by the Papua New Guinea – Australia Partnership through the Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct.

The summer school program consists of coursework to improve critical research skills, and extracurricular events which expose students to new ways of thinking and provide opportunities to build networks.

It inspires students, exposes them to new intellectual challenges, and strengthens their critical thinking and academic capabilities.

The ANU-UPNG partnership and the summer school program are supported by the Papua New Guinea – Australia Partnership through the Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct.

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Australian National University UPNG School of Business and Public Policy

INFOGRAPHIC: ANU-UPNG Summer School

Some of the best and brightest students from the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) travelled to Canberra in January and February to enhance their studies on a summer school program at the Australian National University (ANU).

The ANU-UPNG partnership and the summer school program are supported by the Papua New Guinea – Australia Partnership through the Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct.

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Australian National University UPNG School of Business and Public Policy

Award-winning academic committed to PNG’s future leaders

Dek with Professor Brian Schmidt, ANU Vice Chancellor and recipient of the Nobel Prize in Physics.

When it comes to tutoring emerging economists, there are few with a better pedigree than Dek Joe Sum who – despite being a student himself not long ago – has now won three consecutive awards for excellence in teaching.

Dek is the Australian National University (ANU) – University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) partnership coordinator.

He is one of the five ANU academics based in Port Moresby and who work shoulder-to-shoulder with UPNG staff at the School of Business and Public Policy.

They assist with course development and research agendas, and also teach hundreds of students each year, many of whom will go on to be part of the next generation of economic and public policy experts.

On 12 July, Dek received his third honour in as many years: the ‘Award for Excellence in Tutoring or Demonstrating’ at the 2018 ANU Vice-Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence in Education.

Dek said the award was the highest recognition for teaching at ANU and that UPNG was the ideal place to share his passion for economics.

“Everyone sees me differently and has a high expectation from me,” Dek said. “It enables me to set a higher standard. It’s good for me and for the students because they can get the most out of me,”

“It’s my passion to teach and I’m honoured because there’s no better place than UPNG to put my skills to use.”

“It’s lot of learning experience and a steep learning curve for me. I’ve never been exposed to that before.”

The partnership between UPNG’s School of Business and Public Policy and the ANU has been supported by the Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct.

It has seen the School renew its focus on producing technically skilled and capable leaders who possess the knowledge and ability to create and implement effective policy in the national interest.

Dek is philosophical about the challenges and opportunities Papua New Guinea is presented with, and believes the ANU academics have a role to play in development of leaders who can mold society.

“I love this job because I am directly mentoring the future leaders of PNG,” he said. “I teach them and let them know what opportunities and challenges this country is facing. They can help their country to move forward; build it to be a better place and reward their communities with their knowledge.”

“Our role as lecturers may not be as significant anymore – they will be the champions.”

In the first semester of 2018, ANU lecturers taught economics and public policy management subjects to 291 undergraduate students, and there are signs the partnership has had a major impact on student performance.

There has been a significant increase in the average marks and percentage of students who passed the annual ANU economics exam, which fourth year UPNG students have the option of sitting in addition to their internal examinations.

Each year the top UPNG economics graduate is awarded a scholarship to study for a Master of International and Development Economics at the ANU.

The ANU also receives UPNG economics and public policy students for summer school, which enables them to further their studies and expand their networks.
“Without the current partnership with the Precinct, we would not have been able to do all this – it has greatly benefited students, staff and future leaders,” Dek said.

“Being here, we are able to expand the teaching, research and students’ exposure to the latest economic literature.”

Dek believes that these types of initiatives are promoting more local experts, who are needed to take Papua New Guinea forward.

“I love being in PNG – it is one of the few countries in the world that’s able to preserve its culture so well,” Dek said.

“The ANU Economics Scholarship recipients are the best products of the partnership; they have first class knowledge and are able to combine it with the local understanding. People like us are expatriates; we do not know the culture as well as the locals. With them coming back, there will be a big impact and a sustainable plan for UPNG.”

“Our role as lecturers may not be as significant anymore – they will be the champions.”

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Master of Economic and Public Policy UPNG School of Business and Public Policy

Master of Economic and Public Policy scholarships open

The Master of Economic and Public Policy continues the University of Papua New Guinea tradition of producing high quality graduates – technically skilled and capable leaders who can apply their qualities in a way that is relevant to Papua New Guinea.

Applications extended to
Wednesday 31 October 2018

Applications are now open to working executives and managers for the Master of Economics and Public Policy at the University of Papua New Guinea’s School of Business and Public Policy, which will commence in February 2019.

Ten scholarships for the 2019 academic year are available to middle and senior managers in the PNG public service.

The scholarships are supported by the Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct, a partnership between Papua New Guinea and Australia, and cover tuition costs for successful applicants.

The Master of Economic and Public Policy is designed to develop professionals with the knowledge and ability to create and implement effective policy in the national interest.

It provides an academic platform for participants to boost their skills in economic and public policy analysis, which can be applied to the complex range of challenges in PNG today.

The degree was developed through the Precinct partnership between the University of Papua New Guinea and the Australian National University.

Academics from the Australian National University teach subjects as part of the Master of Economics and Public Policy program and support students with research projects.

Scholarships will be awarded to benefit public servants whose work is focused on economic management and the formulation of government policy. They will be managed by the Department of Personnel Management.

For further information and application forms please contact the School of Business and Public Policy through Lisa Marie Kila – Phone: 3267 299 or 3267 305 | Email: sbpp@upng.ac.pg

Online applications are encouraged and must be provided by the close of business on Wednesday 31 October 2018.

Late applications will not be accepted.

Application process:

The University of Papua New Guinea has called for applications for the Master of Economics and Public Policy program with the closing date Wednesday 31 October 2018. You must apply and successfully meet the eligibility criteria, screening and selection process and gain acceptance into the degree program in order for you to be considered for a scholarship. UPNG will provide a list of successful applicants to DPM for consideration and the scholarship will be awarded based on merit and subject to DPM criteria. Successful applicants to the course who do not receive a scholarship offer will be eligible to undertake the course as a full-fee paying student.

PLEASE NOTE: Some return of service obligations may apply as a condition to receive this scholarship.

Selection criteria:

Admission to the degree will be only granted to those who are able to benefit fully from an intensive program. To be considered, applicants should:

  1. have a good first degree in Economics/Public Policy from an approved University or equivalent qualification;
  2. have a minimum of two-year management level work experience acquired after first degree; and
  3. be fluent in English and computer literate.
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UPNG School of Business and Public Policy

Top UPNG student lives her economics dream

Jollanda Mathew (second left) poses with her fellow graduates from the UPNG School of Business and Public Policy.

‘Your future is in your hands – you are what you are and where you are because of your decisions; be disciplined and always be optimistic.’

An important reminder and encouragement from Jollanda Matthew – a young tutor at the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) who graduated with a Bachelor of Economics in April this year and who has been awarded the Australian National University (ANU) scholarship to pursue a Master’s degree in International and Development Economics in 2019.

Jollanda enjoys reading novels, she is a keen learner and enjoys long conversations with her friends apart from playing netball, however there is a big contrast between her hobbies and her ambitions.

Some people end up in fields very different from their interest – but they stay in a particular field for various reasons whilst some end up doing exactly what they enjoy – they turn their hobby into their career. For Jollanda, as a child her interests were to work in a field that was noble – that involved caring, nurturing, educating and serving.

“I had thoughts of either becoming a nurse, or a teacher or even a flight attendant,” she reveals.

But she was also a practical person – observing and helping her mum and grandma with selling goods at the market ignited an interest in understanding labour and production, the distribution and consumption of goods and services.

Jollanda’s grandfather had a great influence in her career choice – he had a big interest in the economic field and had wanted to become an economist but was not fortunate to make it to tertiary level to study this course, yet he understood how the economy worked and he passed on what he know about this area to Jollanda.

Jollanda Mathew with Dr Manoj Pandey, Australian National University Lecturer, at the 63rd UPNG Graduation.

At a young age, Jollanda’s granddad helped her see how living, whether it is subsistence or commercial living – were all intertwined and that economics is a major factor in people’s decision making.

The knowledge passed onto her, coupled with her efforts in helping her mum and grandma sell their goods opened the pathway to studying economy.

“I often helped my mother and grandmother sell food at the markets when I was little and I always wondered why the price of goods kept increasing, and why K10, although may seem a reasonable amount, could only cater for certain things and not others,” she said.

“As I progressed to high school and national high school and took up economics, I started to gain a bit more understanding of why goods were produced, why there is a cost for labour, for distribution and for production and the practise of barter – exchange of goods and services and purchasing power- how much goods and services can be bought by one unit of money,” she adds.

Studying in Wawin National High School in Lae, Morobe Province was her first move away from her closely-knitted family and her first step towards learning to be independent and the opportunity to understanding more the economics of living.

“At Wawin, I had to learn to manage well my allowances that my parents sent, manage my time and priorities that was the beginning of a clearer illustration of living economically. My father is formally employed with the Works Department in Manus, but he helps my mum to toil the land because he wanted to ensure if my family is well catered for, my siblings and I can continue to attend school and progress onto attaining qualifications that will lend us a job and the cycle goes – the subsistence way of life is still a great supplement to Papua New Guinean families.”

“In my first month at Wawin, my mum would call me each morning to ensure I was up and ready for classes and had not missed breakfast. I was indirectly constantly reminded of the importance of having breakfast, being well to attend classes and to make sure to attend all classes. Being disciplined will get your somewhere in life – idleness will take you nowhere. These thoughts guided me to be grounded in order for me to continue to progress further in my education.”

“At university, I learnt how to interpret some of the issues affecting PNG’s economy, such as the foreign exchange shortage and the unemployment rate and I began to see how economics influenced people’s decision making. Economics is everywhere; the decision whether to study or go out with friends is economics.”

The privilege to pursue further studies brings her closer to fulfilling her dream of becoming an economist and contributing to nation building – a dream her grandfather shares.

“His support and encouragement has pushed me to strive to achieve exceptional results from day one of my studies and I am thankful to him and to my dad for encouraging me to pursue this area of interest.”

Jollanda was among more than 400 students from the School of Business and Public Policy who graduated in April this year.

Jollanda tutors students at the UPNG School of Business and Public Policy.

She and her fellow economics graduates have benefitted throughout their degree from the School’s strong partnership with the ANU’s Crawford School of Public Policy, which is supported by the Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct.

The partnership between ANU and the UPNG is supporting the School of Business and Public Policy to become a research hub, enabling academics and students to contribute to the nation’s understanding of the challenges and opportunities it faces.

The ANU lecturers work alongside UPNG staff and contribute to the academic and personnel development of students, encouraging them to be leaders and role-models to their peers.

Jollanda presently tutors nearly 200 first and third year students at the School of Business and Public Policy, a pre-requisite of the ANU Economics Scholarship.

ANU Lecturer Dek Joe Sum was full of praise for Jollanda and her peers at UPNG.

“The Precinct partnership has greatly benefited students, staff and future leaders. Jollanda is working as a tutor right now, accumulating her teaching experience,” he said.

“People like us are expatriates, we do not know the culture as well as the locals. Jollanda and other ANU Scholarship recipients are the best students, who have first class knowledge and are able to combine it with the local understanding.

“With them coming back there will be a big impact and a sustainable plan for UPNG. Our role as lecturers may not be as significant anymore – they will be the champions.”

Jollanda will depart Papua New Guinea next year with 10 third year students to attend an ANU-UPNG Summer School program as part of the partnership between the two institutions.

She will then remain in Australia to take up her master’s studies in 2019, where she will follow in the footsteps of Ani Rova, Maho Laveil and Kelly Samof – the ANU Scholarship awardees currently studying in Canberra.

“The partnership between UPNG and ANU, and my experience with the visiting lecturers, changed the way I think about economics.”

Jollanda aims to return to the School of Business and Public Policy as a lecturer, once she has completed her post-graduate studies.

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Events Press Releases UPNG School of Business and Public Policy

Senior PNG and Aus public servants discuss leadership and decentralisation

Acting UPNG Vice-Chancellor Professor Mange Matui, Australian Public Service Commissioner John Lloyd and Acting Department of Personnel Management Secretary Taies Sansan.

Department of Personnel Management Acting Secretary Taies Sansan and Australian Public Service Commissioner John Lloyd came together for a discussion on ethical leadership and the decentralisation of government functions to regional areas.

The discussion, Leading for the Future – Ethics, Workplace Culture and Leadership in a Decentralised Public Sector, was the first event in the 2018 University of Papua New Guinea Vice-Chancellor’s Lecture Series, and was supported by the Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct.

Ms Sansan said decentralisation means public servants in the provinces and districts have a greater role to play in the delivery of services.

“A majority of Papua New Guineans live in regional areas and public servants on the ground are best placed to understand the needs of the community they serve,” she said.

“At the Department of Personnel Management we are strengthening public service leadership at all levels – from central agencies in Port Moresby to the provincial, district and local levels.”

“The Precinct and the newly relaunched Pacific Institute of Leadership and Governance are some of the mechanisms we are using to develop the capacity of the public service to make it more efficient, effective and ethical.”

The Department of Personnel Management and the Pacific Institute of Leadership and Governance maintain strong institutional links with the Australian Public Sector Commission through the Precinct.

Mr Lloyd said good governance and an effective public service is critically important for the stability and success of every country.

“Like the PNG public service, the Australian Public Service delivers many community services and buys goods worth billions of dollars,” he said.

“As public servants, all of us must carry out our duties with honesty, integrity, accountability, respect and responsibility.”

“Our leaders must lead by example and demonstrate the highest standards for others to emulate.”

The Department of Personnel Management, Australian Public Service Commission and Pacific Institute of Leadership and Governance, through the Precinct, have run courses in East New Britain, East Sepik, Madang and Southern Highlands, reaching nearly 200 public servants.

The Precinct also supports the partnership between the University of Papua New Guinea’s School of Business and Public Policy and the Australian National University.

The Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct is a partnership between Papua New Guinea and Australia to support the development of ethical, capable public sector leaders.

 
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Events Press Releases UPNG School of Business and Public Policy

PNG a leader on climate change says Environment Ambassador

Ambassador Patrick Suckling speaks to the audience about the Paris Agreement and the role of Papua New Guinea as an international and regional leader on climate change.

Australian Ambassador for the Environment Patrick Suckling noted that Papua New Guinea had played an important leadership role on climate change issues, as international negotiations continue on the implementation of the Paris Agreement.

Mr Suckling gave the keynote address at The Paris Agreement and Climate Change Leadership in the Pacific, a discussion event hosted by the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) and the Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct on 30 January.

An audience of public sector, academia, non-government organisations and civil society representatives took the opportunity to participate in a lively discussion on the local, regional and international responses to climate challenges.

Mr Suckling said that the effects of climate change are disproportionately affecting vulnerable communities in the Pacific and Papua New Guinea had a strong voice and a vital role to play on global climate change policy.

“With the Paris Agreement, over 190 countries recognised there is a problem and agreed to act, to act urgently and to act together,” he said.

“Leaders in the Pacific speak with great moral authority and this resonates with the international community.

I’ve heard there are communities in Papua New Guinea having to relocate because of rising seas and others that are challenged by severe weather events, such as heavy rainfall and flooding.”

“Regional leaders, including successive Prime Ministers of Papua New Guinea, have advocated for strong action and practical solutions to the challenges of climate change.”

“Australia and Papua New Guinea have worked together over many years to address the threats of climate change, for example climate proofing infrastructure like roads and building community resilience.”

An engaged audience from the public and private sectors, academia, non-governmental organisations, and civil society put questions to Ambassador Suckling.

Papua New Guinea and Australia are signatories to the Paris Agreement, an accord to take action to reduce emissions as a means for preventing the global temperature from rising more than two degrees.

As Ambassador for the Environment, Mr Suckling represents Australia on global environmental issues, including negotiations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Mr Suckling said that there was wide consensus around the world regarding the Paris Agreement and that everyone must play a role, including representatives from the private sector.

“Corporate business is getting on board with this agenda more than ever before,” he said.

“They are increasingly aware of the risk of climate – how to adapt, change and be robust – and they are also focused on the opportunities of a changing global economy based on lower emissions and climate resilience.

A lot of countries and a lot of companies are saying that this is big business. Many countries are demonstrating that you can reduce emissions and grow the economy. On some estimates meeting climate change commitments by just the key emerging economies is a $23 trillion opportunity.”

The Paris Agreement and Climate Change Leadership in the Pacific was hosted by UPNG and the Precinct in order to facilitate discussion on public-policy challenges and opportunities, and on how ethical leaders can support positive change for communities in Papua New Guinea.

UPNG is a core institution of the Precinct, a partnership between the Governments of Papua New Guinea and Australia to strengthen the public sector and promote leaders who can develop and implement effective public policy.

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UPNG School of Business and Public Policy

More than 2,000 books presented to School of Business and Public Policy

Staff and students from the University of Papua New Guinea’s School of Business and Public Policy will now have access to more information from new teaching and learning materials.

More than 2,400 new books and journals were presented to the University of Papua New Guinea’s School of Business and Public Policy through the Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct last week.

The books were handed over by Australian High Commission Minister Counsellor Benedict David, to the Executive Dean at the School of Business and Public Policy, Professor Lekshmi N. Pillai.

The new materials cover economics, business, political science, human resources, tourism, management, governance and development.

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Precinct Leadership Program UPNG School of Business and Public Policy

Australian Parliamentary Delegation visits Precinct

The Parliamentary Delegation at the Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct.

A Parliamentary Delegation from Australia visited the Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct in Port Moresby on Monday 6 November, as part of their official visit to Papua New Guinea.

The delegation, which included Senator the Hon Ian Macdonald,  Ken O’Dowd MP,  Cathy O’Toole MP, Senator Kimberley Kitching and  Julia Agostino, met representatives from the Precinct’s core partner institutions, including the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG), the Department of Personnel Management, the Papua New Guinea Institute of Public Administration and the Australian National University (ANU).

UPNG hosted a roundtable discussion which provided partners with the  opportunity to talk to the delegation about the impact of the Precinct.

Dr Manoj Pandey (left), Australian National University economics lecturer seconded at the University of Papua New Guinea, and Methuselah Wabiria (right), fourth year economics student, explain the impact of the Precinct partnership with UPNG’s School of Business and Public Policy.

Methuselah Wabiria, third year economics student at UPNG’s School of Business and Public Policy, told the delegation how important the Precinct partnership with ANU has been for his academic development.

“ANU is the number one university in Australia and I consider myself lucky to be taught quantitative economics and critical thinking skills by these lecturers,” Mr Wabiria said.

“I know how much that can influence policy and how much my country can benefit from an economist who understands the statistics.

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UPNG School of Business and Public Policy

Economics students victorious at School of Business debating competition

A engaged audience of UPNG students and staff ready for the debate.

Emerging leaders at the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) exchanged perspectives on some of the key issues facing the nation at the 2017 School of Business and Public Policy Debate Competition.

The competition was held form 21-22 September and included teams which represented the divisions of economics, public policy management, strategic management and business management.

The Economics Students Society were crowned champions after they defeated the Public Policy Management Students Society in the closely contested final.

Bobby Kunda, President of the UPNG Economics Students Society, said the Debate Competition encouraged students to consider different perspectives on important topics for Papua New Guinea.

“The competition is a forum for intellectual discussion about ongoing issues in the nation,” Mr Kunda said.

“It promoted networking and teamwork, and next year we want to increase the number of participants.”

Methuselah Eka Wabiria from the champion Economics team.

“The teams brought different perspectives from their fields of study,” he said, “we all have different views and this provides an avenue to understand the other side,”

“Economics students brought different ideas to the public policy management students, and the same was the case with those from strategic management and business management.”

Topics included the development of small-medium enterprises, the privatisation of state-owned enterprises, the attainability of Papua New Guinea’s Vision 2050 and reserved seats for women in parliament.

The 2017 School of Business and Public Policy Debate Competition was organised by the Economics Students Society and supported by the Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct partnership between UPNG and the Australian National University.

The Precinct supports dialogue and discussion on Papua New Guinea’s development challenges and how capable, ethical leaders can support positive change.

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UPNG School of Business and Public Policy

UPNG graduate aims to bring development home

A young graduate begins a new chapter in her life after university on the path to achieving her dream of being a policy analyst.   

Growing up in a remote area and experiencing firsthand the difficulties in accessing basic services is what pushed Martha Waim to excel in her studies right through to university.

Martha became the first of her 11 siblings to graduate with a university degree – a coveted Bachelor of Economics from the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) at the 62nd Graduation Ceremony on 28 July 2017.

It was the proudest moment for this young woman from a mixed parentage of Simbu and Eastern Highlands Provinces which she shared with her extended families from both sides.

University graduation ceremonies are perhaps as exciting an event for the families of graduates as they are for students themselves. 

Martha is now a cadet at the National Research Institute, researching Universal Basic Education.

Twenty members of Martha Waim’s family from Simbu and Eastern Highlands certainly weren’t going to miss the occasion.

With the airport closed at Mount Hagen, most of her family made their way to Goroka where they were able to secure tickets to Port Moresby.

A few missed out though and rushed down the Highlands Highway by four-wheel drive to Lae, where they arrived just in time for the last flight of the day to the nation’s capital.

“I’m very excited, my family are happy too – a whole bunch came down for the graduation,” she said

At UPNG, Martha came under the tutelage of Australian National University (ANU) academics who work at the School of Business and Public Policy through the Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct.

The Precinct is a partnership between the Governments of Papua New Guinea and Australia that is supporting the development of future leaders, including those who can shape the nation’s public policy.

She said the ANU academics’ passion and commitment had a great influence on the students.

“The lecturers put a lot of time and effort in to the program,” Martha said.

“They took a personal interest in us, in what our dreams were and what we wanted to do.

This included writing reference letters to help with internships and scholarships – simple things that went a long way.”

Martha was one of 57 students who benefited from the UPNG-ANU Partnership throughout their degree program.

Martha Waim holds her coveted Bachelor of Economics from the University of Papua New Guinea at the 62nd Graduation Ceremony.

ANU academics teach hundreds of School of Business and Public Policy students each year and assist with curricula design, capacity development and research agendas.

Australian High Commissioner Bruce Davis, in his address at the Graduation Ceremony, said the students could achieve great things by applying their education in a way that benefits Papua New Guinea.

“Congratulations to all those graduating today and all those who have supported you on your journeys – your family, friends, lecturers and tutors,” Mr Davis said.

“You are now the future leaders of Papua New Guinea.

Each and every one of you has an obligation to help shape the country that Papua New Guinea will become during the course of your life.”

Martha is up for the challenge and her path has led her to a graduate position at the Papua New Guinea National Research Institute (PNG NRI), where she is contributing to the evidence base for the nation’s public policy makers.

“PNG NRI has taken me on as a cadet. I’m currently attached to the education program – Universal Basic Education – doing surveys and research. 

The National Research Institute provides graduate opportunities for emerging leaders, including Martha Waim, Daphney Kollin and Jamie Sali.

I’ve increased my knowledge base a lot and I also hope to further my studies.”

David Ayres, PNG NRI Senior Deputy Director, said the cadetship brought outstanding recent graduates to the Institute and provides them a year of training and experience.

“PNG NRI has for a number of years had in place a cadetship program. In the past couple of years we have given that program a much sharper focus and professional edge,” he said.

“Those that excel are then provided with the opportunity to join PNG NRI for a further two years as Research Project Officers.  At present, we have 6 cadets, and 6 Project Officers working at the Institute.

The cadetship is an important contribution by PNG NRI to building the country’s capacity to recognise and deal with its challenging development issues and problems.”

Martha said the undergraduate degree and her cadetship were important steps towards her aim of contributing to Papua New Guinea’s future.

“I’m passionate about seeing development in my country – it’s the reason I took up economics,” she said.

“I come from a remote area in the Highlands where it is very difficult to access services; I lived there and know firsthand how things are.

My dream job is to be a policy analyst, perhaps with Treasury or the Asian Development Bank. I want to see policies that can be implemented effectively for the people.”

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UPNG School of Business and Public Policy

ANU academics inspire UPNG students to make a difference

Kelly Samof – UPNG Economics Graduate and 2018 ANU-UPNG Scholarship recipient.

Kelly Samof is quick to admit that when he started university he was thinking only of getting a degree and finding a job to secure his own future.

Now Kelly’s face lights up when given the opportunity to speak about his studies in economics and his hopes for the future of Papua New Guinea. His tall frame moves excitedly to make each point.

“Once I finish studying I want to work at the Central Bank of Papua New Guinea or the Department of Treasury,” Kelly said.

“I want to find an area of economics that I enjoy and can excel in.”

Soon after starting his Bachelor of Economics at UPNG SBPP in 2013, Kelly found himself under the guidance of academics from the ANU through the Precinct.

“The partnership between the two universities has had a big impact on both my education and my personal growth,” he said.

“The academics from Australia showed us that we can use our education to make a difference in Papua New Guinea. They believe in us and this belief has given us confidence in our abilities.”

Through the Precinct, the Australian academics teach a number of economics and public policy subjects including Applied Economics and Business Statistics, Economic Policy, Quantitative Economics, Intermediate Macroeconomics, Decentralisation Policy, and Policy Monitoring and Evaluation.

Seconded ANU academic, Dr Manoj Pandey, celebrates graduation day with Kelly Samof.

“The lecturers tell us that what we learn is on par with students in Australia and Europe, and they talk about the huge potential of our country,” he said.

“This has been inspirational to me. As a Papua New Guinean you don’t grow up thinking that way.”

Kelly they were encouraged to see themselves as global citizens and not just as undergraduates.

His credentials as a global citizen and an emerging leader were boosted when he travelled to Sydney in 2016 after being awarded a Kokoda Track Foundation Archer Leaders Scholarship, which aims to develop tertiary students who have demonstrated an unquestionable commitment to their studies, communities and country.

Kelly once again reaped the benefits of his hard work when he was awarded the ANU-UPNG Scholarship in Economics in April 2017, which is supported through the Precinct partnership.

The scholarship will see Kelly return to Australia in 2018. This time to Canberra where he will live for two years while he undertakes a Master of International and Development Economics at ANU.

In Alotau and Port Moresby, Kelly’s family and friends continue to encourage him on his journey.

“They’re supportive of the fact that I’m growing as a person and learning to interact with people from outside Papua New Guinea,” Kelly said.

“It was a barrier that I had to break through, learning to communicate with people from a different culture.

“All their hopes are with us to bring something better when we go out in to the world.”

Kelly graduates with his School of Business and Public Policy peers at the 62nd UPNG Graduation Ceremony.

He is not the first in his family to excel academically with his father, Dr Lucas Samof, also graduating from UPNG. Dr Samof studied medicine, specialised as an anaesthetist and is presently Director of Critical Care and Medical Services of the Milne Bay Provincial Health Authority.

Kelly’s younger sister may also look to follow in those footsteps when she joins him in Port Moresby to study science at UPNG, with a view to moving into medicine.

Kelly is excited by the prospects of furthering his education and believes the education and experience he gains at the ANU can equip him with the tools to make a difference in Papua New Guinea.

“I don’t expect to change the whole world, but I know I can play a part in shaping the future of Papua New Guinea by helping to create good policy and contributing to sensible economic decisions,” Kelly said.

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Events Gender Press Releases UPNG School of Business and Public Policy

UPNG takes the lead on gender equality

UPNG School of Business and Public Policy academic staff with UPNG Vice-Chancellor, Professor Albert Mellam, and Executive Dean, Professor Lekshmi N. Pillai (back-centre).

The University of Papua New Guinea’s School of Business and Public Policy will integrate gender equality into its curriculum, as part of a new approach to changing behaviours.

A gender workshop was held at the university recently for the school of business staff to ensure gender issues become a part of student learning. The workshop was funded by the Association of Commonwealth Universities and facilitated through the Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct.

University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Albert Mellam, said that the institution had an important role to play in creating change.

“Gender equality is so fundamentally critical to Papua New Guinea. This is one way of contributing to pushing back against these problems that are endemic across the world,” Professor Mellam said.

The School of Business Executive Dean, Professor Lekshmi N. Pillai, said that the time is right to embrace gender equality and embed it as part of the curriculum.

“Sustainable future growth must be based on the right principles, practices, and policies.

“We can integrate gender in to the way business, economics and public policy are taught, and change the way students think about these issues,” Professor Pillai said

Wasita Pomel, a Business Management tutor, and Nathan John, an Economics tutor, were among the participants at the Gender Equality Workshop.

Head of Business Management Evelyn Kua said education is crucial for improving opportunities for women in Papua New Guinea.

“Gender equality has been a foreign concept in the Papua New Guinean cultural context and that is a challenge which needs to be addressed.

“Traditionally, men have been the decision makers and the providers of food, shelter, and protection – but these trends are changing.

“We need to create a curriculum that can bridge the gap between tradition and the realities of today,” Mrs Kua said.

The University’s School of Business will use the outcomes of the workshop to promote gender equality as part of its curriculum, as part of the Papua New Guinea Government’s Gender and Social Inclusion (GESI) Policy, and the Ethics and Values-Based Executive Leadership and Management Capability Framework.

The Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct is part of the Papua New Guinea – Australia Partnership to build a new generation of ethical and accountable public and private sector leaders. The Precinct also works to ensure the Government’s GESI Policy is rolled out among all its stakeholders, including the University of Papua New Guinea.

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Events Press Releases UPNG School of Business and Public Policy

Partnership focused on empowering women and ending gender-based violence

UPNG Second Vice Chancellor’s Lecture of 2017 (from left to right) Lady Winifred Kamit, Founding Chairperson Coalition for Change, Ms Evan Biesco, case manager with Femili PNG, Ms Rosie Batty, Australian of the Year 2015 and Ms Monica Toiseneglia, HR Manager Steamships Transport.

The Papua New Guinea – Australia Partnership continues its focus on improving gender equality and ending family sexual violence in the country.

A recent visit by anti-violence campaigner and 2015 Australian of the year, Rosie Batty, was an opportunity to showcase some of the achievements of the partnership.

In the law and justice sector, Australia in partnership with the Family and Sexual Violence Action Committee (FSVAC) is working to improve coordination and quality of services provided to survivors of violence.

Australian High Commission Minister Counsellor, Rod Hilton said a recent workshop brought together provincial police, state lawyers and other stakeholders, to identify challenges and opportunities to improve services such as legal aid, medical attention and psychosocial services for survivors of violence.

“An effective response to ending family and sexual violence is about better access to justice, improved support services and ultimately, prevention,” Mr Hilton said.

Secretary for the Department of Justice and Attorney General and Chair of the National FSVAC, Dr Lawrence Kalinoe, described the workshop as an investment that would make a real impact on the lives of people.

Australian High Commission Minister Counsellor Rod Hilton (Front left), Department of Justice and Attorney General Secretary and Chair of the National FSVAC Dr Lawrence Kalinoe and participants of the referral pathways workshop.

“We have to make sure that whatever is written in the law actually gets translated into physical, tangible systems on the ground, and that they function properly,” Dr Kalinoe said.

Ms Batty who was the guest speaker at the workshop, commended participants for their passion and commitment to bringing about change.
Ms Batty also participated in the University of Papua New Guinea Vice-Chancellor’s Lecture supported through the Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct. Ms Batty said family violence needed to be part of the conversations at schools, in the workplace and at homes all over the world.

“Family violence exists in every pocket of every community across Australia. In Australia and Papua New Guinea, victims of family violence are overwhelmingly women. To work together on solutions is the only way to go.”

Ms Batty was in the country as part of her tour in support of Femili PNG, a local family and sexual violence case management centre based in Lae.
The Papua New Guinea – Australia Partnership works across a number of sectors including education, health, law and justice gender and sport.

For further information, including access to related materials, please contact the Australian High Commission media team: +675 7090 0100

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Press Releases UPNG School of Business and Public Policy

Scholarship awardee committed to PNG’s development

Dr Albert Prabhakar Gudapati, Head of UPNG SBPP Economics Division; Mr Kelly Samof, 2018 Economics Scholarship awardee; and Professor Lekshmi N. Pillai, UPNG SBPP Executive Dean

An Economics student at the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) has been awarded a scholarship to continue his studies in Australia.

Kelly Samof, from Milne Bay, has been awarded the 2018 Economics Scholarship to study at the Australian National University (ANU) in Canberra.

“I’m feeling really excited and privileged to go to Canberra next year and rejoin some of the ANU staff who taught me at UPNG,” Mr Samof said.

“It will be a great experience and I believe the master’s program will equip me with skills to meaningfully contribute to Papua New Guinea’s development. One day I’d like to work at the Bank of PNG or the Department of Treasury, where I can help to shape the nation through economic policy.”

Kelly recently completed a Bachelor of Economics at UPNG, where he will work as a tutor in the School of Business and Public Policy before commencing the Master of International Development and Economics Program at ANU.

UPNG’s School of Business and Public Policy Executive Dean, Professor Lekshmi N. Pillai, said the scholarship selection was based on grades, the results of an entrance exam, and interviews with candidates.

“The staff at UPNG and ANU were very impressed with Kelly’s academic performance and by his qualities as a person,” Professor Pillai said.

“The experience of joining the School of Business and Public Policy team as a tutor will help him to continue to develop as a leader.”

Ani Rova, who is currently studying at ANU under the economics scholarship program, said it had been a great opportunity, both in terms of education and personal development.

“There are a lot of challenges and I want to encourage Kelly to be well-prepared for the program as well as the cold weather,” Mr Rova said.

“He will need to become very skilled in the quantitative aspects of the course, such as mathematical economics and econometrics.”

Each year, ANU academics teach economics and public policy to hundreds of UPNG School of Business and Public Policy students.

The institutions are part of the Pacific leadership and Governance Precinct – an initiative of the Papua New Guinea and Australian Governments to strengthen public sector leadership.

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Master of Economic and Public Policy Press Releases UPNG School of Business and Public Policy

New Master’s program will continue UPNG tradition of leadership

A new master’s program at the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) will enable future leaders develop and implement high-quality public policy that will shape the nation.

The Master of Economic and Public Policy was launched today (eds. 16 March) and is a result of the collaboration between the University of Papua New Guinea School of Business and Public Policy and the Australian National University, supported by the Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct.

The Precinct is a partnership between the Papua New Guinea and Australian Governments, which provides education and professional development to support capable and ethical public sector leadership.

Australian High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, Bruce Davis said training leaders with expertise in the disciplines of economic and public policy was crucial to any nation’s future prosperity.

“The policy decisions made by governments drive economic and social development and the delivery of services to the people,” Mr Davis said.

“The University of Papua New Guinea was the country’s first university and one that has continued to play an important role in shaping the leaders of the nation.

“The Master of Economic and Public Policy will continue this tradition of producing high-quality graduates; technically skilled and capable leaders who can apply these qualities in a way that is relevant to PNG.”

The School of Business and Public Policy is in the process of finalising a new five-year strategy that will ensure there is a strong academic and research program in place.

The new strategy will cement the School’s place as one of the emerging schools of business and public policy in the Asia-Pacific region.

A new School of Business and Public Policy building is also currently being constructed under the Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct partnership.

The building will provide students and staff with a modern space for learning, discussion and research.

The University of Papua New Guinea is a leading provider of Accounting, Business, Economics, Public Policy Management programs at the undergraduate level and Business Administration, Human Resources Management, Strategic Management, and Economic and Public Policy at the Master’s level.

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UPNG business school set to enter new era

The University of Papua New Guinea’s leading business school has launched a new Master’s program to ensure more graduates have the skills and leadership capabilities to contribute to Papua New Guinea’s economic growth.

The Master of Economics and Public Policy will commence in 2017 and is targeted at qualified economics and public policy professionals in government, private sector and Non-Government Organisations.

This new degree was made possible through the Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct, a flagship investment of the Papua New Guinea and Australia partnership.

The new Master’s program coincides with the development of the University of Papua New Guinea School of Business and Public Policy’s five-year strategic plan to set the direction for the school to 2021.

The five-year strategy will see the school makes the most of new learning infrastructure being delivered under its partnership with the Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct.

The entire team at the School of Business and Public Policy recently participated in a two-day planning exercise to inform the new strategy, which includes the new Master’s program and a renewed focus on research.

Executive Dean Professor Lekshmi N. Pillai said strategy was part of a larger vision to cement the School of Business and Public Policy as one of the emerging schools of business and public policy in the Asia-Pacific region.

“We are the leading business and public policy school in Papua New Guinea and we want to continue to improve the quality of learning and research that occurs here.

“In 2019, we will move into a new building with improved learning and teaching facilities and several academic programs to match,” Prof Pillai said.

The School of Business and Public Policy is one of the Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct’s key institutional partners, offering undergraduate and post-graduate courses tailored to the needs of public and private sector employers.

The Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct is a joint initiative of the Governments of Papua New Guinea and Australia to train capable and ethical public sector leaders.

The University of Papua New Guinea is a leading provider of Accounting, Business, Economics, Public Policy Management programmes at the undergraduate level and Business Administration, Human Resources Management, Strategic Management, and Economic and Public Policy at the Master’s level.