Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has welcomed the steady expansion of Papua New Guinea’s overseas STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) scholarship programme, describing it as a transformative investment in the country’s future workforce and leadership.

This year, 160 students from the 2024 Grade 12 cohort will take up scholarships to study abroad — the highest annual intake since the programme began in 2023. The group will join fellow Papua New Guinean students already studying in the United States, China, India, Fiji, and, for the first time this year, Malaysia.

In total, 368 students will have been sent overseas under the programme by the end of 2025.

Prime Minister Marape said the programme reflected his government’s vision of equipping young Papua New Guineans with world-class education, global exposure, and practical skills that will drive national development in the decades ahead.

“Our children are the true wealth of this nation. By investing in STEM education overseas, we are giving them the tools and experiences to compete with the best in the world and return to build Papua New Guinea,” PM Marape said. “The future of our economy, our diplomacy, our trade, and our development depends on young Papua New Guineans who are not only highly skilled, but who also understand the languages, cultures, and technologies of our global partners. This programme is about positioning our nation for the next 50 years and beyond.”

The Prime Minister acknowledged the partnership of international governments, universities, and private sector organisations, including the Australian Government and Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited, which funded all 30 students travelling to the United States this year.

He also thanked Education Secretary Dr Uke Kombra and his team for their leadership, noting that the Department of Education has set a goal of eventually expanding the intake to 1,000 STEM students annually.

“It is regrettable that such a programme was not launched decades ago, but as the saying goes, it is better late than never,” PM Marape said.

“We are now making up for lost time, and in doing so, ensuring that Papua New Guinea will have the global talent pool it needs to prosper in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, while also strengthening our links with nations around the world.

Reflecting on Papua New Guinea’s 50th Independence Anniversary, Prime Minister Marape said the programme represented the kind of forward-looking investments that will secure the nation’s next 50 years.

“As we mark half a century of independence, it is vital that we prepare the next generation for the challenges and opportunities of the next half-century,” he said. “This scholarship programme is one of the most important legacies we can build for our young people and for the nation.”