PNG GOVT TO PARTNER WITH INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITIES TO BOOST HUMAN RESOURCE

Picture Caption: Three-day Pacific Teachers Education conference at the University of Goroka.

By Vicky BAUNKE, in Goroka, EHP

A TOTAL of 50 Papua New Guinean students undergoing the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) studies have been ranked in the top 5% at one of the engineering Universities in China showing the potential for more students to take part take.

Education Minister Lucas Dekena made this remarks when speaking at the University of Goroka during the opening of the Pacific Teacher conference, on the significance of collaboration among universities in the Pacific and Western World.

He acknowledged the presence and support of China during the three-day Pacific Teachers Education conference at the University of Goroka.

He said PNG is looking forward to developing its human resource and anticipates to support more students to receive STEM education, especially through collaboration with other sister universities in the Pacific, south East Asia and internationally.

He said during a visit to China recently he was told by professors at the
China Three Gorges University (CTGU) a public university located in Yichang, Hubei province, in China that PNG students are performing in the top five percent of the engineering subjects.

The CTGU is an Engineering University in China known for its focus on engineering, particularly hydroelectric engineering and related fields, due to its location near the Three Gorges Dam.

Meanwhile, the pioneering PNG STEM students (76 to 100) in the United States (US) have achieved various academic excellence awards in the Universities, he said.

Based on this, Minister Dekena has anticipated a way forward to increase the number of PNG students going on STEM education (scholarship) overseas.

So far PNG has STEM students in India, China, Fiji, and the US.

He said this could be achieved through collaboration with Universities in Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia for collaboration.

Minister Dekena also acknowledged participants from New Caledonia and the presence of the Chinese Government (through the Embassy) and especially Beijing Normal University who has the capability of training STEM postgraduate students to become educators in STEM.

He said teachers are the central pillar that holds the society together and it is the goal of the government to make schools attractive for students and elevate good teaching packages and training for teachers.