UND, Papua New Guinea sign STEM education partnership
Minister for Education, other top education officials from Papua New Guinea attend signing ceremony at UND
The University of North Dakota has signed a formal Memorandum of Understanding or MOU with the Papua New Guinea STEM Program, strengthening international educational collaboration and opening new opportunities for Papua New Guinea students to study in North Dakota.
The signing ceremony on Aug. 25 included distinguished guests from Papua New Guinea, including the Hon. Lucas Dawa Dekena, member of Parliament and the country’s minister for Education, and Uke Kombra, permanent secretary for Education. The officials traveled to UND as part of an education delegation to formalize the partnership.
“It was an honor to welcome the education delegation from Papua New Guinea to UND for this important signing ceremony,” said Eric Link, UND provost and vice president of Academic Affairs. “This partnership serves as a bridge between our communities and cultures and reflects our shared commitment to advancing STEM education. UND is proud to join Papua New Guinea’s vision of preparing the next generation of innovators, scientists and leaders.”
Papua New Guinea is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. The Papua New Guinea STEM program is funded through the country’s Department of Education and provides scholarships for top students to study abroad in fields critical to national development.
Students are placed at universities in the United States, Australia, India, China and other partner countries to build expertise and foster innovation.
UND welcomed its first cohort of 16 Papua New Guinea students last fall, with seven additional students joining the campus community this fall.
With the addition of Papua New Guinea, UND now represents students from 98 countries worldwide.
Partnership for the future
“This formal partnership with the Papua New Guinea STEM program reinforces UND’s commitment to fostering international collaboration and supporting the educational aspirations of students worldwide,” said Manuela Gabriel, director of the UND International Center.
“We are excited to provide Papua New Guinea students with comprehensive resources and opportunities to excel in STEM fields, ensuring they return home equipped to drive innovation and become the next leaders in their communities. This collaboration is one of the examples of how UND creates lasting global impact and strengthens the bonds between our institution and nations around the globe.”
The collaboration contributes to Papua New Guinea’s long-term goals of economic diversification and workforce development, while enriching UND’s diverse and globally connected learning environment. As North Dakota’s flagship university and a recognized leader in STEM education and research, UND provides students with access to world-class faculty, hands-on research opportunities and cutting-edge facilities.
This partnership not only affirms UND’s role as a destination for global STEM education but also underscores the University’s commitment to preparing students — from North Dakota and around the world — to shape the future of engineering, science and innovation, UND’s Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs noted.
