New Ireland Governor Byron Chan is pursuing international education partnerships aimed at strengthening the province's public sector workforce, a move viewed as central to efforts to improve governance, attract investment and prepare the province for greater autonomy and economic self-reliance.
Chan traveled to the Philippines in the second week of June, where he met senior executives of the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) in Manila to explore professional development and higher education opportunities for officers within the New Ireland Provincial Administration.
Discussions focused on establishing a partnership that would provide internationally recognized certificate, diploma and master's degree programs designed to strengthen institutional capacity and develop a future-ready workforce capable of supporting New Ireland's long-term development agenda.
The governor's delegation met with DAP Acting President and Chief Executive Officer Leocadio Sebastian and senior directors on June 12.
Chan said investing in people remains one of the most important foundations of sustainable development and effective public service delivery.
"One of the greatest investments any government can make is in its people. Buildings, roads, and infrastructure are important, but it is our human resource capacity that ultimately determines whether we succeed as a province," he said.
"We want a Provincial Administration that is equipped with modern skills, international best practices, and the leadership capabilities necessary to meet the challenges and opportunities of the future."
The proposed collaboration would create educational pathways for provincial officers to undertake training in governance, leadership, project management, strategic planning, public administration, financial management and service delivery.
Chan said a capable public service is essential to creating an enabling environment for investment, supporting governance reforms and ensuring the province can effectively manage future growth opportunities.
The initiative forms part of a broader strategy to modernize the Provincial Administration and strengthen the institutional frameworks needed to support economic expansion and increasing provincial responsibilities.
As New Ireland continues discussions on autonomy, Chan said human capital development has become increasingly important.
"If New Ireland is to achieve its development ambitions and autonomy aspirations, we must first build the skills and expertise of our people. A strong and capable public service is the foundation of good governance," he said.
DAP is regarded as one of Southeast Asia's leading public sector training institutions, providing executive education, policy research, leadership development and capacity-building programs for government agencies across the Philippines and the wider region.
Beyond formal academic qualifications, discussions also covered technical exchanges, executive training programs, leadership development initiatives and customized courses tailored to the operational needs of the New Ireland Provincial Government.
Chan said the opportunities would extend beyond senior management to support emerging leaders and young professionals within the Provincial Administration, including teachers, helping build a stronger pipeline of future leaders.
The governor also visited the University of Perpetual Help to explore similar partnerships and additional opportunities for professional and academic advancement for New Ireland public servants.
The international engagement aligns with the Chan-Kolivos government's broader development agenda, which places education, skills development, economic empowerment and institutional strengthening at the center of provincial growth.
Since returning to office, Chan has reintroduced the provincial tertiary school fee subsidy program, expanded support for women through the Empowering Mama Bilas Peles Program, strengthened economic development initiatives through the New Ireland Development Corporation and advanced autonomy discussions through state agency capacity assessments.
According to Chan, the initiative reflects a development approach that balances infrastructure investment with human capital development.
"The future of New Ireland will not be built solely through projects and funding. It will be built by educated, skilled, and capable people who can lead our institutions and create opportunities for future generations," he said.
Chan also acknowledged the legacy of his late father, former Papua New Guinea prime minister and New Ireland governor Julius Chan, whose vision consistently emphasized education and leadership development as drivers of national and provincial progress.
"Julius Chan always believed that education was the most powerful tool for transforming lives and communities. As we continue his vision for New Ireland, we remain committed to creating opportunities for our people to learn, grow, and lead," he said.
The New Ireland Provincial Government is expected to continue discussions with DAP in the coming months as both parties work toward establishing a framework for future cooperation and educational exchange.
If formalized, the partnerships with DAP and the University of Perpetual Help could become among the most significant public-sector capacity-building initiatives undertaken by the New Ireland Provincial Government in recent years, strengthening the province's ability to deliver services, manage investment opportunities and support long-term economic growth.
