PNGUoT at 50 Years of Independence: A Vice Chancellor’s Vision for a World-Class University

Abstract

Abstract: As Papua New Guinea marks fifty years of independence, the role of higher education in national development must be redefined and strengthened. This manuscript reflects on the philosophy, vision, and institutional reforms that have guided the Papua New Guinea University of Technology (PNGUoT) over the past five years. It articulates the belief that universities are sovereign institutions of knowledge, entrusted with authority to generate, transfer, and apply science and technology to uplift livelihoods. The paper highlights milestones achieved under the current leadership, including full accreditation of five engineering programs under the Washington Accord, establishment of international collaborations, creation of the Office of Strategic Internationalization (OSI), and mobilization of industry partnerships. Ultimately, it argues that PNGUoT must be a driver of societal transformation by ensuring that higher standards of education directly translate to higher standards of living for the people of Papua New Guinea.