UPNG, SILAG Seal Land Deal to Fast-Track PNG's Public Service University

Papua New Guinea's oldest university and the nation's top public service training institute have moved a step closer to giving the country its first dedicated Public Service University, after formalising an agreement over land ownership this week.

The University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) and the Somare Institute of Leadership and Governance (SILAG) signed a Memorandum of Understanding at UPNG's campus, paving the way for long-term tenure of the land SILAG currently occupies to be handed over as the institute works toward full university status.

 UPNG, SILAG Seal Land Deal to Fast-Track PNG's Public Service University/Photo supplied

UPNG Vice Chancellor Professor Ian Findlay described the agreement as the product of years of cooperation between the two organisations, rather than a one-off arrangement.

"This MoU represents an enduring partnership between two of PNG's leading education organizations-SILAG, PNG's key public service training institution and UPNG, PNG's National University," Professor Findlay said.

"This is one of the first steps towards SILAG becoming a fully-fledged university, and we look forward to creating a bright future."

The Vice Chancellor used the occasion to draw a direct line between the strength of the country's education system and its long-term prospects, telling those gathered that the standard of learning institutions would ultimately determine what kind of nation PNG becomes.

"If we want a good nation, we need to have good education. If we want a weak nation, we have weak education," he said. "We owe it to our children, we owe it to our grandchildren, we owe it to the future of PNG to have the best possible education that we possibly can. We want our children to have a bright future. We want our grandchildren to have a bright future. And we cannot do that if we compromise our standards."

Professor Findlay went further, linking the quality of leadership across the country back to what happens in lecture halls and training rooms today.

"We cannot do that if we don't have good leadership, good corporate governance, good management, good politicians, good business leaders. These are critical for PNG. And it all starts at education, whether that's formal education at SILAG or formal education at UPNG. We owe it to the future of PNG to make sure that our education and our education institutes are strong."

For SILAG Chief Executive Officer Michael Barobe, the paperwork signed this week carries weight well beyond property lines.

"Today's signing represents much more than an agreement relating to land. It reflects the enduring partnership, mutual trust and shared national purpose that have existed between UPNG and SILAG over many years," Mr Barobe said.

Mr Barobe pointed out that securing permanent tenure over the campus site is central to how SILAG plans its future, from infrastructure and academic growth to the accreditation process it must pass through on the road to university status.

UPNG was founded in 1965 and remains PNG's premier university, while SILAG dates back to 1954 and carries the name of Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare. It continues to serve as the country's lead institution for training public sector leaders.

"As SILAG moves closer towards university status, we look forward to a more fruitful partnership with UPNG through continued collaboration in teaching, research, leadership development, innovation and knowledge sharing," Mr Barobe said.