PNG students capture global interest for placements at universities

Top Papua New Guinean students have captured global interest for universities placement.

Since the initial departure of 43 Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics or STEM students to universities mostly in United States in 2023, the numbers have significantly doubled in the last year.

PNG STEM Founder and Advisor to the Education Department, Dr. Clement Waine noted that last year, 73 students were set to South Dakota, a top engineering university, 12 to Nicholls State University and 15 to University of North Dakota, all in the United States.

About 32 sent to Universities in India and 5 to Fiji for pilot training program.

Within the same year, 54 students were sent to China Three Georges University in China - a university known for its great sciences including Covid-19.

These group of students are currently studying hydropower engineering - a need that was identified in PNG to boost electricity development.

According to Dr. Waine, PNG students currently studying in universities overseas have been performing extremely well in their first year of studies and ranked top 10 in their respective programs at the universities especially in China and United States.

The success stories of PNG STEM students have captured global attention.

This year, countries like Australia, Malaysia and Hungary have sent their request to take in PNG students for their university's placement.

Countries like South Korea and Japan with others (yet to be disclosed) are also in the pipeline for PNG student's placement in the future.

The Education Department is now looking at sending more STEM as well as non STEM students to these countries, this year.

The PNG STEM Founder and Advisor to the Education Department shared this success story and progress of STEM program at the China Pacific Teacher Education Conference held at the University of Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province.