Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has extended heartfelt congratulations to 54 exceptional young Papua New Guineans, who are about to embark on a transformative educational journey to China on the Papua New Guinea Government’s prestigious STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) scholarships.

Deputy Prime Minister Hon. John Rosso, Chinese Ambassador H.E. Yang Xiaoguang, Education Minister Hon. Lucas Dekena, and Education Secretary Dr. Uke Kombra officially farewelled the students last Friday. These 26 young women and 28 young men, all of whom excelled in their Grade 12 STEM studies at six of the nation’s top schools – Sogeri, Aiyura, Kerevat, Passam, Wawin, and Port Moresby – are set to pursue advanced fields such as electrical engineering, civil engineering, mechanical engineering, computer science, and more.

The first group of these trailblazers left for China on Saturday, October 5, 2024, while the next cohort will depart on Tuesday, October 8, 2024. They join a growing legacy of PNG STEM students pursuing excellence globally, with students already placed in India, the United States, and Fiji.

Prime Minister Marape highlighted the significance of this moment: “The departure of these 54 brilliant young Papua New Guineans to China marks a historic moment. It is a proud day for PNG as these young minds embark on an inspiring journey—one that not only represents their personal dreams but the shared aspirations of our entire nation. This journey is the product of our government’s steadfast commitment to education, especially in the vital fields of STEM.”

He continued: “These young scholars are the very best our schools have produced. They embody the future of PNG—future engineers, scientists, and innovators who will lead us into new heights of development. Through this initiative, we affirm our unwavering belief that investing in education is the key to unlocking PNG’s full potential.”

Prime Minister Marape expressed his deep gratitude to those who made the scholarship programme a reality: “I extend my sincere thanks to Education Minister Hon. Lucas Dekena, Education Secretary Dr. Uke Kombra, Dr. Clement Waine, Mr. Benny Rayappan, and their hardworking teams for turning this vision into reality. This programme is also a tribute to the late Jimmy Uguro, whose vision and leadership helped lay the foundation for its success.”

Reflecting on the broader vision for education, Marape shared his commitment to expanding international opportunities for PNG’s youth: “We are exploring new horizons for our Grade 12 STEM school leavers in countries like Hungary, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and Indonesia. Indonesia alone has extended 2,000 scholarships to PNG students. This is not just about opportunity—this is about expanding the boundaries of possibility for every PNG child. Whether they’ve completed their education through the regular system or through Flexible Open Distance Education (FODE), we want every child to have the chance to continue their learning, to grow, and to succeed.

“This STEM scholarship initiative is more than a programme; it is a beacon of hope and a testament to the resilience and potential of Papua New Guinea’s next generation. With every scholar who steps on a plane to China, India, or the USA, a new chapter in PNG’s future is written—one of progress, innovation, and global leadership.

“As these 54 bright students embark on their journeys, they carry with them the pride of a nation and the responsibility to return and transform their communities and country.”