Tertiary education in PNG: a critical review

Tertiary education plays a pivotal role in Papua New Guinea's national development, shaping its leadership, workforce, innovation, and identity, according to a critical review of the sector. The review, presented at the 2025 PNG Update conference, covers the period from 1975 to 2025, assessing the historical development and current state of tertiary institutions.

Nelson Mandela's quote, "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world," serves as a backdrop to the article's examination of PNG's educational journey. Fifty years after independence, the article acknowledges that education has been fundamental to the nation's progress, despite numerous challenges. Tertiary education is identified as the "lifeline" of PNG's Vision 2050, a national strategy aimed at driving the country forward.

The review had three main objectives: to track the evolution and present condition of tertiary education in PNG over the past five decades, to evaluate how effectively public and private institutions are contributing to national development goals, and to pinpoint significant challenges while proposing strategic recommendations for the sector's improvement.

To benchmark PNG's progress, the review utilized the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) for the tertiary sector, comparing it against regional and global counterparts. The findings aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of the strengths and weaknesses within PNG's higher education landscape, offering insights into its capacity to meet the demands of a developing nation and its future aspirations.

“

Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.