Australia Awards

Invaluable lessons for midwives

But she got more out of the experience than she expected.

“I helped deliver a baby girl and she was named after me!” Jennifer recalls. “We delivered the baby without any complications. It was a clean delivery.”

Monipa, an Australia Awards scholar who recently completed study in 2020 at the University of Goroka (UOG), visited Middle Fly district in 2019 on a midwifery practicum with YWAM Medical Ships.

Scholars embrace innovation during COVID-19

More than 200 long-term Australia Awards scholars from PNG are putting this idea into practice by embracing innovation to continue their studies during COVID-19.

One of those scholars is Wavie Kendino, who was only a few weeks into her Australia Awards Scholarship to study a Master of Commercial Law in Melbourne when the pandemic was declared.

After seven years as a corporate lawyer in PNG, Kendino fully expected new challenges but a global pandemic was not one of them.

New generation of female scholars making their mark

Mosoro, from East Sepik, describes herself as a second-generation Australia Awards scholar – both her parents were awarded Australian government scholarships before her.

Mosoro says her parents and other female mentors inspired her to apply for a Master of Public Health at The University of Melbourne in 2018.

“My goal for taking up the Master of Public Health was to come back to PNG and take part in creating evidence-based public health programs, particularly in sexual reproductive health,” she stated.

Doctor recognised for medical research excellence

A medical practitioner and Australia Awards scholarship alumnus from Simbu Province, Dr Aglua works as a clinical research coordinator at the Sir Joseph Nombri Memorial Kundiawa General Hospital.

After graduating with a Master’s of Public Health from James Cook University, Queensland, in 2016, Dr Aglua initiated the set-up of a Clinical Research Centre at the Kundiawa General Hospital with the support of the Hospital board and administration.

Sharing lessons, changing lives

Two Australia Awards scholars, Janet Towaki and Paula Zebedee Aines, are undertaking postgraduate midwifery degrees in Australia. To them, leadership means advocating clinical best practice, setting a positive example in the community and sharing skills and knowledge in Papua New Guinea and beyond.

Janet and Raula both started their careers as nurses in regional areas – Janet at the Daru General Hospital in Western Province and Paula in a rural health facility in Western Highlands Province.

Diverse group of alumni

A reception was held recently in Port Moresby for 52 of the graduates who were taking part in a workshop to deepen links with other alumni and future employers.

They have studied at 33 Australian institutions, where most of them have completed a master’s degree while a few have returned with PhDs and bachelor degrees.

Australian High Commission Minister Counsellor for Governance, Andrew Egan, says 51 of the 81 alumni are women.

Public servants ready for APEC 2018

The awardees undertook 3-4 month studies this year in Australia in the fields of international relations and international trade in preparation for APEC 2018.

Present at the awards night on Tuesday evening was Prime Minster Peter O’Neill, Australian High Commissioner Bruce Davis, Papua New Guinea’s Ambassador to APEC, Ivan Pomaleu, and UN resident co-ordinator Roy Trivedi.

​Australia Awards student wins prestigious prize

Benson and his Australian study partner, Stephanie Matulin, teamed up to develop the project called Papua New Guinea Education Network for Disaster Risk Reduction. The pair then submitted their work for entry in the 2017 Research for Development Impact Network Conference.

When Benson and Stephanie became one of only five pairs from across

Australia to be shortlisted for consideration at the national conference,

Public servants embark on significant journey

The workshops are part of a series of short-course scholarships offered through the Australia Awards.

The courses will enable participants involved in key trade and diplomacy roles to sharpen their skills to represent Papua New Guinea internationally, including at the APEC meetings hosted in the country in 2018.

The workshops gave participants insight into the program as well as what they can expect from the course, including related activities and site visits that they will be doing.

PNG-Australia Alumni pays tribute to Logie

He was the executive manager (legislative and administrative reforms) in the Department of Personnel Management (DPM) before his tragic passing.

PNGAAA president Professor Teatulohi Matainaho described his death as a loss to his family, his employer DPM and the nation.

“The late Raymond – upon his return from postgraduate studies at the Australia National University – was tasked to oversee the implementation of key policy initiatives at the DPM.

“His death leaves behind a big hole in the department and public service capacity generally in PNG,” he said.