UPNG, ENB Government upgrade Kokopo Campus

From L-R: ENB Legal Officer Peter Waninara, ENB Provincial Administrator, Levi Mano, UPNG Vice Chancellor Ian Findlay, UPNG Open Collogue Executive Director Prof Boe Lauhi-Ako during the signing. (Pic: UPNG ENB Students Association)

Students in East New Britain will soon have greater access to university education after the University of Papua New Guinea [UPNG] and the East New Britain Provincial Government signed an agreement to upgrade the Kokopo Open Campus into a University Learning Centre.

The Memorandum of Agreement was signed at UPNG administration on June 9 by UPNG Vice Chancellor Professor Ian Findlay and East New Britain Provincial Administrator Levi Mano.

The new learning centre will allow students in East New Britain and the New Guinea Islands region to study closer to home instead of relocating to Port Moresby.

Professor Findlay said the project is part of the university's wider plan to expand quality higher education throughout the country.

"Kokopo is start of refreshed vision to bring quality education across all PNG. We already have a building and will be delivering to students ASAP, hopefully on next 3 months," Professor Findlay said.

Students at the Kokopo centre will have access to the same lectures, learning materials, digital libraries and academic support available at UPNG's main campuses in Waigani and Taurama.

They will also graduate with the same accredited UPNG qualifications as students studying in Port Moresby.

The centre will be supported by high-speed Starlink internet, allowing students to join online classes and access academic resources without connectivity problems.

Provincial leaders say the project will help address the shortage of university spaces and provide more opportunities for Grade 12 school leavers.

The partnership is expected to strengthen human resource development in East New Britain while creating a model that could be adopted by other provinces across Papua New Guinea.