The University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) has signed a landmark Memorandum of Intent (MOI) with the Universities of Wisconsin, creating the first formal academic partnership between a Papua New Guinean and an American university.
The agreement was signed on May 29th at the U.S. Embassy's American Center in Port Moresby by UPNG Vice-Chancellor Ian Findlay and Universities of Wisconsin Senior Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs Johannes Britz, who joined virtually.
The three-year agreement will promote academic and cultural exchanges, including student degree pathways, faculty and student research collaboration, virtual exchange programs, and campus visits.
U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Alex Berenberg said the partnership demonstrates the strength of U.S.-PNG educational cooperation and a shared commitment to advancing academic excellence.
The partnership is expected to expand educational opportunities for Papua New Guinean students while strengthening institutional ties between the two countries.
The three-year agreement establishes a foundation for cooperation across a range of shared academic priorities, including:
Joint development of a framework to communicate a shared understanding of the relationship's nature and goals, reduce barriers for participating campuses, and create clear pathways to participation,
Exploration of degree pathways for students,
Survey and communication of opportunities for faculty and student research collaboration,
Organization of virtual exchange opportunities, and
Encouragement of in-person visits between both campuses.
UPNG was honored to partake in such a partnership.
“Education has always been at the heart of Papua New Guinea's development, and partnerships like this one remind us that our ambitions are shared beyond our borders.”
Meanwhile, a statement from The University of Wisconsin affirmed the partnership.
“This reflects our deep belief that universities have a responsibility to build bridges across cultures and continents — and we are eager to learn from one another as we work toward shared goals in research, education, and exchange."
The Universities of Wisconsin serve more than 160,000 students across 13 campuses, while UPNG remains Papua New Guinea’s oldest and largest university.
Both institutions will appoint coordinators to oversee collaboration and review progress, with the agreement open for extension beyond its initial three-year term.
