SILAG SIGNS TECHNICAL COOPERATION AGREEMENT WITH SRI LANKAN NIBM

BY SHARON AGAVI

THE Somare Institute of Leadership and Governance (SILAG) has officially inked a significant Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the National Institute of Business Management (NIBM) of Sri Lanka, aimed at fostering technical cooperation and enhancing public service training in both nations.

The agreement, signed this week, signifies a landmark collaboration between the two institutions, which will facilitate the sharing of expertise, training resources, and course offerings.

Director of NIBM, Dr. D.M.A Kulasooriya expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, noting that it opens avenues for collaboration with other countries and enhances the capabilities of both institutions.

“This MOU is a major opportunity for NIBM to support SILAG in providing public service training for public servants,” he stated.

In line with this, he proposed several initiatives, including the establishment of a public digital hub, e-learning facilities, and a virtual learning environment aimed at modernizing education for public service students at SILAG.

He also emphasized the need for a University Management System to digitize learning processes, advocating for paperless operations and practical training programs that provide real-world exposure.

Welcoming the MOU, Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, Ivan Pomaleu, described it as a “blueprint” that underscores the potential of government collaboration across vast distances.

“This partnership is an opportunity to attract younger individuals to public service, ” he said.

Mr. Panditha M.N Bandara, the Honorary Consul of Sri Lanka in PNG emphasized that the collaboration is about building bridges of knowledge, leadership, and skills between the two nations.

The launch of the consultancy and official engagement was attended by key NIBM leaders including Dr. Gunathilake Tantirigama, the Chairman, NIBM, Dr. D.M.A. Kulasooriya, the Director General, NIBM, Dr. Mrs. Buddhima Subasinghe, the Head of Student Life & Engagement, and Head – NIBM International, Mrs. Pavithra Wickramasuriya, the Head, Productivity & Quality at NIBM.

The dignitaries representing the Somare Institute of Leadership & Governance (SILAG) and the Government of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea included Ivan Pomaleu, the Chief Secretary to the Government, Department of the Prime Minister and National Executive Council, Ms Taies Sansan, the Chairperson, SILAG Governing Council and Secretary of the Department of Personnel Management, the Members of the SILAG Governing Council including Mr Lonnie Baki, the Acting Secretary of the Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (DHERST), Mr Panditha M. N. Bandara of the Honorary Consul of Sri Lanka in Papua New Guinea, Mr Michael Barobe, the Chief Executive Officer of SILAG and Mr Robert Nemala, the Executive Director, Workforce Training &
Development at SILAG.

Their collective presence emphasized the strategic importance of the partnership and NIBM International’s commitment to transnational education and supporting SILAG in its historic institutional transformation, strengthening leadership, governance, and public service excellence in Papua New Guinea.

The signing of the MOU follows eight months of preparation.