Australian High Commission
Papua New Guinea

150211 AA fellowships

11 February 2015

Female public service leaders set to begin Australia Awards Fellowship

Australian High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, Ms Deborah Stokes, and Department of Personnel Management Acting Secretary, Ravu Vagi, have congratulated 20 female public servants who were awarded an Australia Awards Fellowship.

This Fellowship, delivered by the University of Queensland in Australia, will provide female leaders from the public service with a Graduate Certificate in Governance and Public Policy.

The qualification will be delivered intensively over one month commencing on 22 February. A six month workplace mentoring program will also support awardees to implement their learning on governance and policy practice within their department.

In partnership with PNG’s Department of Personnel Management, Ms Stokes launched the all-female course on Monday 9 February.

“Fellowships are a useful alternative to addressing public sector training needs, particularly for Papua New Guineans unable to spend long periods in Australia, including women and those in senior public sector roles,” Ms Stokes said.

“Educational opportunities like the Australia Awards Fellowships support women to contribute and benefit from PNG’s economic development.”

The 20 awardees were nominated by the Departments of Finance, Education, National Planning and Monitoring, Personnel Management, and Provincial and Local Government Affairs.

More than 2000 Papua New Guineans have studied in Australia on scholarships. Australia Awards promote knowledge, education links and enduring ties between Australia and PNG. They are part of Australia's commitment to providing education opportunities to improve living standards and economic growth.

Ms Stokes said the Fellowships complement the establishment of the Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct.

Announced by the Australian Foreign Minister, Ms Julie Bishop, in her most recent visit to PNG in December 2014, the Precinct will involve the transformation of the University of Papua New Guinea’s School of Business Administration into a School of Business and Public Policy, and the revitalisation of the Institute of Public Administration. It will bring together a range of education providers to offer a comprehensive program of training to build the leadership qualities and skills of PNG government public servants.