PNG Australia Alumni Association launches Manus Chapter
Australian Deputy High Commissioner, Ms Margaret Adamson and PNG Australia Alumni Association (PNGAAA) President and Acting Secretary of the Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, Professor David Kavanamur, launched the inaugural Manus Chapter of the PNGAAA on Wednesday 18 February.
“The Manus Chapter of the PNGAAA will provide members with the professional development opportunities, networking events and access to small grants that the PNGAAA national association provides to all members,” Ms Adamson said.
“Connecting to the alumni network provides an opportunity for Manus Alumni to address contemporary issues in their province,” commented Professor Kavanamur. “Manusians who have studied in Australia will now have greater opportunities to network with each other and to share ideas through their own PNGAAA chapter. PNG AAA is a strong and growing group of Papua New Guineans from across the public service, private enterprise and civil society.”
The Manus Chapter will serve as a hub for information about Australia Awards scholarships. The Australian Government supports the first year of PNG PNGAAA membership for all awardees returning from an Australia Awards scholarship. In 2014, four people from Manus Province received an Australia Award to begin studies in Australia in 2015. They will return to Manus to join this new PNGAAA chapter.
In his opening address, Manus Provincial Administrator and alumni chapter member, Mr Andrew Posong welcomed Australia’s support for alumni activities. He also announced the chapter’s first professional development workshop that would focus on Investment Promotion Authority registration for local non-government organisations.
The PNGAAA was formed in 2006 to provide Papua New Guineans who have studied in Australia with a forum to stay in touch and to share ideas. The Manus Chapter joins the existing provincial chapters of Madang, Goroka, Kokopo and Lae.
To become a member or find out more about the PNGAAA, email [email protected].