A night of celebration, recognition, and hope for the future marked the 10th anniversary of the STEM program in Papua New Guinea (PNG), as 80 top-performing students were honored ahead of their academic journeys to the United States, India, China, Malaysia, and Fiji. The event, held in Port Moresby, brought together key government officials, international diplomatic representatives, education leaders, proud parents, and scholarship recipients under one roof to celebrate the third cohort of PNG’s Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) students selected for overseas scholarships. Dr. Uke Kombra, Secretary for the Department of Education, emphasized the significance of the evening,…
Author: Paula DAVID
Minister for Youth, Religion and Community Development, Jason Peter, has reaffirmed the Marape-Rosso government’s commitment to inclusive development with a K20,000 donation to Mt Sion Blind Centre in Goroka, Eastern Highlands province. The donation, presented during a visit on Monday, 28 July 2025, is part of the Church-State Partnership Program and aims to support the centre’s ongoing work in empowering people with special needs. Minister Peter was accompanied by Secretary Jerry Ubase and members of the Church Development Council (CDC). He commended Mt Sion’s work, acknowledging the Catholic Church’s leadership in delivering inclusive community services. “Every citizen, regardless of ability,…
More than 40 members of the Eastern Highlands-Simbu Mission (EHSM) of the Seventh-day Adventist Church have successfully completed a two-day Financial Literacy Retail Training, receiving certificates during a ceremony held last week in Goroka, Eastern Highlands province. The training, organized by the Department for Community Development and Religion (DfCDR), focused on equipping participants with essential financial management skills, including budgeting, saving, emergency planning, and time management. Minister for Youth, Religion and Community Development, Jason Peter MP, addressed the graduating participants and encouraged them to apply what they had learned with discipline—while also staying committed to their spiritual responsibilities. “Never forget…
The National Rugby League (NRL) has unveiled the official draw for the 2025 Pacific Championships, which will see elite men’s and women’s international rugby league teams compete across three countries over four action-packed weekends in October and November. Following the thrilling conclusion to last year’s tournament—where the Kangaroos and Jillaroos lifted their respective Pacific Cup trophies in front of a sell-out crowd at Sydney’s CommBank Stadium—the 2025 edition promises even more high-intensity clashes and passionate national pride. Samoa will return to the men’s Pacific Cup after touring the UK in 2024, and will headline a blockbuster opening double-header on Sunday,…
The World Health Organization (WHO) has welcomed a NZ$2 million (around K4.7million) contribution from the Government of New Zealand to support Papua New Guinea’s ongoing response to a polio outbreak. The funding arrives at a critical moment, as cases of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) continue to be detected through environmental and community surveillance in Lae and Port Moresby since April 2025. Papua New Guinea remains at high risk of polio resurgence, driven by low routine immunization coverage and significant challenges in reaching remote areas. New Zealand’s support will aid broader efforts to strengthen the country’s immunization systems, in…
Papua New Guinea’s Ministry and Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) will participate in the 2nd Pacific ICT Ministers Dialogue (PICTMD) scheduled for 8 August 2025 in Suva, Fiji. First launched and led by Papua New Guinea in 2023, the Dialogue gathers ICT Ministers and senior officials from up to 12 Pacific Island nations to advance digital development aligned with the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent. The inaugural meeting resulted in the Lagatoi Declaration, which calls for coordinated regional actions to boost digital inclusion, connectivity, cybersecurity, and policy harmonization—key pillars guiding the Dialogue’s agenda. The Dialogue focuses…
Finschhafen MP and Minister for Mining & Special Projects, Rainbo Paita, has strongly condemned the brutal killing of four Kabwum citizens in Lae, describing the incident as barbaric and calling for urgent government action to restore peace and uphold the rule of law. “I join Deputy Prime Minister and Member for Lae, John Rosso, in calling for immediate and decisive action following this senseless act of violence. The people of Morobe are peace-loving and respectful. What happened in Lae is not just an attack on individuals — it is an affront to the values we stand for as a province…
The East Sepik Province has officially joined the Miss Bird of Paradise (MBOP) Papua New Guinea Pageant, becoming the sixth province to sign onto the national platform. A formal partnership agreement was signed on Friday, August 1st, marking a significant milestone in the expansion of the MBOP initiative across the country. The signing ceremony was witnessed by committee members from both the MBOP national organization and the newly formed Miss East Sepik Pageant Committee. This partnership paves the way for East Sepik to host its first-ever provincial pageant and send a representative to the national stage later this year. The…
The National Written Expression Examination for Grade 12s was held this morning and out of 38, 716 Grade 12 students from 238 secondary and 6 National Schools of Excellence throughout the country, a total of 127 students from La Salle Technical Secondary School in Port Moresby also joined the rest. According to Principal Brother (Br.) Antony Samy Pancras, all students were present today and sat for their exam. Prior to that, Br. Antony said the school received the booklets last week and their English Department went to work preparing the students for months for the exam. “All are present today.…
The University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) has officially appointed Professor Ian Findlay as its new Vice-Chancellor. The announcement was made by Chancellor and Council Chairman, Sir Robert Igara KBE CMG, during a formal handover ceremony at the university’s Council Conference Room recently. Professor Findlay becomes the 13th Vice-Chancellor since UPNG was established in 1965. He takes over from Professor Cecilia Nembou, who had been serving in an acting capacity since March 1, 2024. Sir Robert praised Professor Nembou for her strong leadership during a critical period, noting her success in restoring institutional stability, improving academic governance, and overseeing two…