UPNG plans international university centers on campus

The University of Papua New Guinea [UPNG] is planning to establish partnerships with leading universities from China, the United States and Australia to set up satellite and sister campuses on its Waigani campus.

The proposal forms part of UPNG's 20 to 50-year master plan aimed at expanding access to internationally recognised higher education for Papua New Guinean students.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Ian Findlay said the university wants to create opportunities for students to study programmes offered by overseas universities without having to leave the country.

"We're hoping to build up those collaborations to create university centres that will allow our Papua New Guinean students to go to China, go to America and go to Australia to further their education," Professor Findlay said.

He said the partnerships could also see international universities establish a physical presence at UPNG through sister, mini or satellite campuses.

"These partnerships can result in online campuses. Those campuses can be Chinese universities, American universities and Australian universities having a presence actually at UPNG," he said.

"They can have sister campuses or mini campuses, satellite campuses, at PNG to allow PNG students to study."

Professor Findlay said the university is currently developing a long-term master plan that will guide its growth over the next two to five decades.

"We are currently undergoing a master plan of what we want UPNG to look like in the next 20 to 50 years. That will be part of our master plan, to develop those partnerships with other universities and have the possibility of having satellite campuses either abroad or in PNG," he said.

He said the initiative is intended to strengthen UPNG's international partnerships and make world-class education more accessible to Papua New Guinean students while supporting the university's long-term development.