Prime Minister James Marape has welcomed the growth of Papua New Guinea’s overseas STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) scholarship programme, calling it a transformative investment in the nation’s future workforce and leadership.
He said the initiative reflected his government’s vision of equipping young Papua New Guineans with world-class education, global exposure and practical skills that would drive development for decades to come.
“Our children are the true wealth of this nation. By investing in STEM education overseas, we are giving them the tools and experiences to compete with the best in the world and return to build Papua New Guinea,” Marape said.
“The future of our economy, our diplomacy, our trade and our development depends on young Papua New Guineans who are not only highly skilled, but who also understand the languages, cultures and technologies of our global partners. This programme is about positioning our nation for the next 50 years and beyond," he added.
The prime minister thanked international governments, universities and private sector partners that have supported the programme, noting contributions from the Australian Government and Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited, which has sponsored cohorts of students studying in the United States.
He also acknowledged Education Secretary Uke Kombra and his team for their leadership in setting a long-term goal of expanding the annual intake to 1,000 students.
“It is regrettable that such a programme was not launched decades ago, but as the saying goes, it is better late than never,” Marape said. “We are now making up for lost time, ensuring that Papua New Guinea will have the global talent pool it needs to prosper in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, while also strengthening our links with nations around the world.”
The prime minister said the programme was part of a broader commitment to invest in young people, describing it as a legacy for the nation’s next half-century.
“This scholarship programme is one of the most important investments we can make for our young people and for the nation,” he said.
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Alongside the scholarship drive, Marape also praised Edevu Hydro Power for giving 20 Papua New Guinean students studying in China the chance to gain hands-on work experience at its hydro project in Central Province. Under the guidance of managing director Allan Guo, the students spent several weeks in the rugged Koiari mountains, learning about engineering, energy production and project management before returning overseas.
Marape said such opportunities complemented the government’s efforts by ensuring students returned with not only academic qualifications but also practical understanding of the country’s needs.
“I thank Mr Allan Guo and the Edevu Hydro Power Company for going beyond words and investing directly in our young people,” Marape said. “These 20 students represent the very best of Papua New Guinea’s future. They are among the top one per cent of our school leavers, and by giving them practical training at home, we are grounding their education in the real challenges and opportunities of nation-building. This is the kind of partnership we need between government, private sector and education to raise our standards.”
He said the government’s long-term vision was to build a workforce of highly skilled professionals who would not only meet domestic needs but also innovate and lead.
“When these students graduate, we expect them to come back and contribute at the highest level, raising standards across our professions and industries,” Marape said. “They will not just be engineers or scientists like the ones we already have — they must be leaders who add value, bring innovation and change the way we build our country.”
Marape also acknowledged Education Minister Lucas Dekena, STEM advocate Clement Waine and Chinese academic partners who have worked alongside the programme. He said their support demonstrated the importance of aligning government policy, international partnerships and private sector investment.
“This is a model of partnership that I want to see replicated across other sectors — where government, private companies and our international friends come together to build a stronger future for Papua New Guinea,” he said.
