The University of Queensland (UQ) International Development unit and experts from UQ’s School of Education are partnering to support Somare Institute of Leadership and Governance (SILAG) to become Papua New Guinea’s (PNG) newest university by 2027.
The relationship between PNG and Australia has a rich history of cooperation and evolving partnerships. A strategic focus for both UQ and the Australian Government is the continued strengthening of these ties.
In 2023, Anthony Albanese became the first foreign leader to address PNG's parliament, reinforcing the bond between the two nations.
In August 2024, UQ’s President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Deborah Terry AC, led a Senior Executive Mission to PNG, hosting a reception at the Australian High Commissioner’s residence and meeting with leaders from 4 PNG institutions: The University of PNG (UPNG), PNG University of Technology (UniTech), Pacific Adventist University (PAU) and the National Research Institute (NRI). The mission established significant opportunities for future partnerships, including the development of this work with SILAG.
UQ’s International Development unit provides development expertise and program management leadership to help build the capacity of people and organisations in PNG, having delivered over 50 projects since 2014, engaging over 2,200 participants and future leaders.
Funded by the Vice-Chancellor's Strategic Funds, Dr Rhonda Faragher AO, Professor for Inclusive Education at UQ, visited Port Moresby in January 2025 in response to SILAG’s request for input on building capacity across a number of key strategies including higher education quality assurance, policy, curriculum and assessment enhancement, HR, education leadership, public policy, financial management, and inclusive education.
As PNG’s oldest public service training institute, SILAG has gone from strength to strength over the past 6 decades, and Professor Faragher believes SILAG has the potential to become a world leader in inclusive education in higher education and in the public sector workforce.
Dr Faragher detailed the steps to becoming a university, emphasising educational approaches like active learning and universal design for learning, while Professors Robin Shields and Kelly Matthews contributed insights on university governance, ethical practice, and quality assurance.
In Dr Faragher’s session on disability, staff members from SILAG shared the challenges they have experienced around invisible disabilities, such as mental health issues. Dr Faragher appreciated the opportunity for reciprocal knowledge exchange, noting that while Australia struggles with disability employment, SILAG has the opportunity to develop expertise in this field as it excels in training public service workers.
“I believe SILAG could help the PNG public service to become a world leader in disability employment through teaching inclusive practices for all students and by providing support for people with disabilities going into the work force of PNG,” she said.
“It's a wonderful opportunity and one UQ can learn from too!”
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) emphasises the right to inclusive and equitable education at the tertiary level. By incorporating inclusive education practices, SILAG promotes diversity, equity, and leadership skills, preparing future public servants to address community needs effectively.
During Dr Faragher’s recent visit, the UQ team of Professors Shields and Matthews from the School of Education and International Development’s Senior Manager (Business Development and Engagement) Dave Kozar had the opportunity to visit the Port Moresby (Bomana) Commonwealth War Cemetery. For Dr Faragher, the visit also had personal significance, being the burial place of her friend’s father, Squadron Leader John Jackson, after whom the Port Moresby airport is named. With over 3,000 laid to rest in the cemetery, it is a place that underlines Australia’s close and enduring relationship with PNG.
Starting in 2027, SILAG will offer degree programs tailored for public servants, aligning with PNG's medium-term development plan to enhance service delivery in public service. This initiative highlights the importance of inclusive education in building a more equitable society.
Following the January program, UQ has continued to work closely with SILAG’s leadership team to prepare next steps to further strengthen collaborations between the two institutions, which will aim to provide additional professional development activities, staff exchanges and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
By supporting SILAG’s transition to becoming PNG’s university for the public service, UQ and SILAG are paving the way for a more inclusive and equitable future for all.
