Friday, May 15, 2015

Exploring opportunities in PNG

CQUniversity is forming a partnership with the Papua New Guinea University of Technology in Lae to better expand the educational opportunities between Australia and PNG and to help unlock more of the nation’s remarkable potential. 

For this reason I will shortly be boarding a plane to PNG to meet with my counterparts over there and attend the 31st Australia-Papua New Guinea Business Forum. Joining me on the trip will be Provost Hilary Winchester and Deputy Vice-Chancellor Nik Babovic.

Some of the opportunities we will explore while there include the sharing of teaching expertise and resources, research prospects, and the movement of students between the two institutions.

There are some challenges in working on the ground in a country like PNG but there are also tremendous opportunities. We have a real chance to make a difference to the lives of ordinary Papua New Guineans, and to help them write the next chapter in their country’s exciting journey.

CQUniversity is well placed to make a difference to students in PNG, not just through its proximity to the country but also through CQUniversity’s philosophy of ‘giving back’ and student inclusion.

The University has a culture of “giving back” to communities around the world to help spread the life-changing power of education. But we are also a University who is proud to work with students who are often overlooked by the ‘exclusive’ universities; students from low SES backgrounds, rural/remote students, first-in-family students, and indigenous students.

But this is not just a one-way benefit for PNG. CQUniversity students, researchers and staff will also have access to opportunities happening right on our doorstep in one of the most remarkable countries in the world. I can see real value for both universities coming from this partnership.

This is a very exciting opportunity for CQUniversity, and I am looking forward to working with the Vice-Chancellor of Unitech Dr Albert Schram who is a very committed and pragmatic university leader.

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