PNG Prime Minister Peter O'Neill receives Honorary Doctorate

The Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, Peter O'Neill   has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the Soka University in Japan.

Speaking at the Conferral Ceremony of the Degree of Doctor in Tokyo on Thursday, PM O'Neill said he receives the honorary degree as a representative of the people of Papua New Guinea.

"Thank you for this honour that you have not only bestowed on me, but you have bestowed on my country," the Prime Minister said to assembled academics and students.

"Soka university is a fine institution and I hope you establish strong relations with our universities in Papua New Guinea.

"More Papua New Guineans are coming to Japan for study than ever before and we would like to see more Japanese students in Papua New Guinea for study and research.

"There is so much to see and learn in Papua New Guinea, and I invite the students and academics to come to our country."

PM O'Neill went on to do a question and answer session with a large group of students from Soka university, where the main topic was Papua New Guinea's rich cultural heritage.

"Our country is a land of diversity, a true rainbow nation with more than 800 languages and cultures," the Prime Minister said to the students.



"We are a nation that has found unity and pride in our diversity and we are a country of religious freedom, tolerance and peaceful coexistence."

PM O'Neill told students and faculty of the dramatic change taking place in Papua New Guinea education.

"Papua New Guinea is making a transition from traditional societies to a modern economy in one generation.
The only way to make that transition successfully is by providing better education for our people.

"Our Government has implemented a policy that now pays the school fees of every child.

"Before this policy 1 million children in school, and we have now doubled that to two million.

"In Papua New Guinea we are experiencing an 'education revolution' in our country.

"Our free education policy also means that more girls are in school than ever before are going to school and empowering the women in our country.

"Children from poor families are getting an equal chance to learn and getting a tertiary education into the future.

"In Papua New Guinea we are also strengthening the universities and technical colleges.

"With more children in schools today we need to build more higher education institutions so they have a better chances of going to university.

"Papua New Guinea is increasing the number of places available in our universities, and we are also building new campuses around the country."