Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has offered his heartfelt commendation to the Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (DHERST), in partnership with the Enga Provincial Government, for their leadership and collaboration in establishing the Innovative University of Enga—a transformative milestone for higher education in Papua New Guinea.
Prime Minister Marape congratulated the university on achieving a major milestone with the graduation of its inaugural batch of 164 students, describing it as a proud moment not just for Enga Province, but for the nation.
“I commend the Higher Education Department and the Enga Provincial Government for their vision and partnership in driving this important initiative,” said Prime Minister Marape. “The Government gave its full support to the establishment of the Innovative University, and it is encouraging to see students now graduating—particularly in specialised fields that our country urgently needs.”
The breakdown of the inaugural graduating class is as follows:
• Bachelor of Education (Primary Education) – 63 graduates
• Bachelor of Science in Biology – 9 graduates
• Bachelor of Science in Chemistry – 9 graduates
• Bachelor of Science in Physics – 5 graduates
• Bachelor of Science in Mathematics – 11 graduates
• Bachelor of Arts in English – 16 graduates
• Bachelor of General Nursing – 32 graduates
• Graduate Diploma in STEM – 19 graduates
These figures reflect the university’s focus on critical skill areas such as science, education, and health.
The Prime Minister noted that nearly 918 students remain registered at the university, signalling strong and growing demand for its programmes. He reaffirmed his government’s commitment to expanding university enrolment opportunities across the country to accommodate the more than 30,000 Grade 12 school leavers each year.
“Our government is focused on increasing higher education access across Papua New Guinea. This includes working closely with DHERST to support and formalise institutions like the Innovative University of Enga, which now becomes a Tier1 university capable of offering diplomas and degrees,” he said.
Prime Minister Marape further noted that the Innovative University will incorporate existing institutions in the province, including the Technical College, School of Nursing, and Teachers College, which will be absorbed as faculties within the university.
“This integrated model ensures that students in Enga and surrounding provinces can access a wide range of academic and professional training under one umbrella institution. We look forward to continued support for the university’s expansion, both in infrastructure and academic capacity,” he added.
Prime Minister Marape congratulated all graduates, faculty members, and stakeholders for contributing to this historic achievement, stating that the Innovative University of Enga sets a new benchmark for provincial-led higher education development in Papua New Guinea.