Enrolments at the Pacific Adventist University (PAU) School of Business are set to increase and the quality of education improve, with the opening of a new multi-purpose complex at PAU’s Koiari Park campus outside Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.
The new complex, officially opened on March 23, offers purpose-built teaching and learning facilities, including new classrooms, computer labs, staff and student amenities and three new lecture theatres seating a total of 440 students.
The construction of this new facility was supported by the Incentive Fund—a partnership between the Australian Government and Government of Papua New Guinea—which provides grants to high-performing Papua New Guinean organisations to improve their capacity to provide services in a range of sectors, including health, education and economic empowerment of men, women and children of PNG. [pullquote]
Australian High Commission Counsellor Susan Ferguson highlighted the important role higher education plays in Papua New Guinea.
“Education is the cornerstone of progress,” she said. “The Australian Government has long supported the goals of Papua New Guinea in the education sector and this event marks a significant increase in the calibre of opportunities available to future students at PAU.”
Representatives from the Australian and Papua New Guinea governments were present, as was former PAU vice-chancellor Ben Thomas, who conceived and executed the dream for this facility. Current and past staff and students of the university and community members also attended the event.
“This additional purpose-built facility will alleviate the problem of room allocations for learning in various programs at the university,” said PAU vice-chancellor Raul Lozano. “With these new facilities, students will have a better day-to-day academic experience. Ultimately, this will improve their overall learning experience and their future career prospects.”
This new development supports the Government of Papua New Guinea’s Vision 2050’s Pillar of Human Capital Development with the aim of increasing the number of university graduates across the country. Students will be able to utilise the new facility this year.
