Australian High Commission
Papua New Guinea

Australia Awards Alumni to Strengthen PNG’s workforce

Seventy-three Papua New Guineans have successfully completed their Australia Awards Scholarships, returning to Papua New Guinea with a range of qualifications in business, health, education, governance, agriculture, transport and infrastructure. 

The graduates attended a full day intensive workshop and networking event at the Stanley Hotel hosted by the Australia Awards in Papua New Guinea. The workshop and networking event were designed to help prepare graduates for reintegration into their respective workplaces and communities upon returning from Australia. 

Australian High Commission Counsellor Education, Suzanne Edgecombe, was present to give a welcoming address to the returning awardees and invited guests. She congratulated the returning cohort on their achievements and encouraged them to build professional networks by maintaining strong professional and personal links with each other.

“Having strong professional networks is critical in achieving success in business.  These networks will nurture an atmosphere of mutual success and assist you in making a positive contribution in whichever field of work you decide to enter,” she said.

The Australia Awards in PNG assist the public and private sector, as well as civil organisations and non-governmental organisations, to support the skills development of working professionals in Papua New Guinea’s priority sectors.

Returning awardee, Stephanie Alopea, who graduated with a Masters in Mining and Energy Laws from the University of Western Australia, said:  

“It’s time to get to work, my fellow Awardees, to build a better PNG. With our degrees, we have the power to affect lives in ways we cannot possibly imagine, make decisions and drive change – not only in the physical and tangible sense, but in the minds and attitude of our people.” 

Australia Awards demonstrate the Australian Government’s commitment to supporting the Papua New Guinean Government’s continued investment in the education and capacity building of Papua New Guineans.