Papua New Guinea University of Technology Press
PNGUoT Press is the publishing arm of the Papua New Guinea University of Technology (PNGUoT), dedicated to advancing scholarship, education, and creative expression in Papua New Guinea and the wider Pacific. The Press publishes academic monographs, edited volumes, textbooks, and works of general interest that contribute to knowledge creation, national development, and cultural preservation. As a university press, PNGUoT Press upholds rigorous peer review standards and supports both emerging and established authors, providing a platform for research, teaching, and community engagement.
Papua New Guinea University of Technology Research Report 2016
FOREWORD On behalf of the Research Committee of Unitech, I am delighted to present the 2016 Research Report of the Papua New Guinea University of Technology. This is a compilation of the research activities of the thirteen academic departments and four research units of the university. I am very thankful to the Dean of Postgraduate Studies, Professor Shamsul Akanda, for compiling and editing the report. Unitech has the largest postgraduate program in the country, with more than 200 postgraduate students at the present time. The majority of the students are from Papua New Guinea but there are also some from other Pacific Islands who are here through Erasmus Mundus Program of the the European Union. This year, we have one postgraduate student from Africa, Botswana, who is under the Association of Commonwealth Universities Scholarship. The presence of research students creates an atmosphere that is conducive to research. Supervision of postgraduate students and doing research go hand in hand. The Papua New Guinean postgraduate students at Unitech are either sponsored by the university, by companies or by themselves. Whereas the government has instituted scholarship programs for undergraduate study (HECAS - Higher Education Cost Assistance Scheme - and AES - Academic Excellence Scholarship) no similar schemes are in place for postgraduate studies. We are aware that the government plans to introduce scholarships for postgraduate studies soon, and we look forward to a substantial expansion of our postgraduate programs when that happens. There is a well-attended weekly research seminar at Unitech. For the preceding few years this was coordinated by the Dean of Postgraduate Studies, Professor Shamsul Akanda, and last year and this year it is being coordinated by another member of the Research Committee, Professor Subramaniyam Gopalakrishnan. I am very grateful to both of them for their commitment to the seminars, research and to the postgraduate program as a whole. Unitech has a Research Committee that funds research projects and staff attendance at national/international conferences. In 2016, a total of K56,281 was given out by the Research Committee for student research projects only, but no fund was used to support staff attendance at national and international conferences. Nonetheless, many requests for research funding and attendance at international conferences were turned down by the Research Committee, due to a shortage of funds. These funds need to be tripled or quadrupled. That would be a good investment. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all heads of department, leaders of research units and members of the Research Committee for their fruitful work during the year 2016. I also thankful to the Vice Chancellor and his management team for their continued support and commitment of funds even when the university budget is under stress. Above all, I thank the Dean of Postgraduate Studies, Professor Akanda, for preparing the 2016 Unitech Research Report Dr Augustine Moshi Pro Vice Chancellor Academic and Chairman of the Research Committee
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Papua New Guinea University of Technology Research Report 2014
FOREWORD I am delighted to present the 2014 Research Report of the Papua New Guinea University of Technology. In spite of some disruptions of classes at the start of the 2014 academic year, Unitech research activities were a big success in 2014. Research activities at Unitech are spurred on by having the largest postgraduate program in the country. There are currently 141 postgraduate students, including 9 at PhD level. Unitech also hosts 8 PG students from Caribbean and Pacific through Erasmus Mundus Program of the European Union. The presence of research students creates an atmosphere that is conducive to research. Supervision of postgraduate students and doing research go hand in hand. A postgraduate seminar program during October 13 - 14 resulted in 55 postgraduate students presented their research work that was attended by staff and students from across Unitech and beyond. There is a well-attended weekly research seminar at Unitech. This is organised by the Dean of Postgraduate Studies and Research, Professor Shamsul Akanda. I am very grateful to him for his commitment to the seminars and to the postgraduate program as a whole. A total of 23 research seminars were organized in 2014. A major seminar, known as the Huon Seminar, is held at Unitech every two years. The last one was the seventh one and it was held in November 2013. Its proceedings have been published in a book form. Unitech has a Research Committee that funds research projects and staff attendance at national/international conferences. In 2014, a total of K114, 462 was given out by the Research Committee for research projects, and K41, 699 was used to support staff attendance at national and international conferences. Nonetheless, many requests for research funding and attendance at international conferences were turned down by the Research Committee, due to a shortage of funds. These funds need to be tripled or quadrupled. That would be a good investment. This Research Report is a compilation of research activities at Unitech. It describes the research work of each department and lists the academic papers that were published, department by department. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all heads of department and members of the Research Committee for their fruitful work during the year 2014. I also commend the SEMT for their continued support and commitment of funds even when the university budget is under stress. Above all, I thank the Dean of Postgraduate Studies and research, Professor Akanda, for preparing the 2014 Unitech Research Report. Dr Augustine Moshi Pro Vice Chancellor Academic and Chairman of the Research Committee
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Papua New Guinea University of Technology Research Report 2013
FOREWORD It is my great pleasure to present the 2013 Research Committee Annual Report. It was a hectic year, but we managed to maintain a good rhythm in terms of research and publications. Money was always a constraint, but I would like to see more money is allocated for research and conference purposes. The Research Committee took a bold step in reviewing the 1994 version of Research Management Policies and Guidelines for Unitech with the objectives of promoting research culture in the university. The new policies stipulate development of a corporate research plan, mandatory research plan for the academic departments, promotion of departmental seminars, restoration of university seminar series, increase the upper limit of funding for GAP students, allowing GAP students to attend national and international conferences, etc. Also noteworthy is a new chapter on "Research Ethics" incorporated in the revised version to uphold the integrity of research and publications. 2013 was a successful year in terms of reviving the weekly University research seminar series and departmental bi-weekly research seminars. These seminars were important to transform positively the research culture of the University. A total of 12 University research seminars were presented on different subjects of interest during the second semester of 2013 academic year. One of the hallmarks of Unitech, the postgraduate student research seminar entered into its 3rd year in 2013. Fifty six PG students presented their research findings during 25-26 September 2013 to showcase the PG studies and research capabilities; communication and presentation skills to wider community to encourage research culture at Unitech and PNG as a whole. This seminar was attended by the representatives from AusAID, ACIAR, FPDA, NARI, DAL and Trukai Industries Ltd, besides the Unitech staff and students. I take this opportunity to thank the Research Committee members, Executive Officer and Heads of the Departments for their continued support and contributions. Professor M. A. Satter Pro Vice Chancellor (Academic) and Chairman Research Committee
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Papua New Guinea University of Technology Annual Report 2025
Vice Chancellor’s Foreword The year 2025 has been another significant and productive year for the Papua New Guinea University of Technology (PNGUoT). The academic year commenced with exciting news that all five engineering programs were granted full accreditation by Engineers Australia under the Washington Accord. This important recognition was officially announced on 18 December 2024. The achievement attracted strong praise and support from government and industry stakeholders. In particular, the University acknowledges the valuable support provided by Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited and ExxonMobil during the accreditation process. To mark this milestone, PNGUoT hosted a celebration on 1 July 2025. The occasion was attended by distinguished guests from overseas, representatives from government, and leaders from industry who joined the University community in celebrating this achievement. The accreditation affirms the quality of engineering education delivered at PNGUoT and strengthens the international standing of our graduates. Following this celebration, the University hosted the Pacific Islands Universities Research Network Conference. Researchers from universities across the Pacific, Australia, and New Zealand gathered at PNGUoT to present research addressing issues affecting Pacific Island societies and economies. The conference provided an important opportunity for our academics to engage with colleagues across the region, strengthen research partnerships, and initiate new collaborative initiatives. These engagements continue to expand the research capacity and international visibility of PNGUoT. These developments were complemented by the establishment of the Office of Strategic Internationalization (OSI). The Office was endorsed by the University Council in November 2024 to strengthen collaboration with international partner institutions and advance the University’s global engagement agenda. The Director of OSI position is generously supported by Ok Tedi Mining Limited, Kumul Minerals Holdings Limited, and PNG DataCo Limited. PNGUoT continues to demonstrate growth in expanding higher education access for young people and working professionals. Online enrolment increased from 500 students in 2024 to 800 students in 2025. Total student enrolment has now reached approximately 4,000 students, including about 250 postgraduate students, with around 30 currently pursuing doctoral studies. On campus, students have remained focused on their studies, supported by improved security and learning resources. Our Estate and Services Division continues to work diligently to maintain and upgrade the University’s ageing infrastructure. Several buildings have undergone refurbishment, improving the campus environment and creating more conducive living and learning spaces for staff and students. A major highlight was the completion of the University’s new student dining hall, which was officially opened in October 2025 by the Chancellor of PNGUoT, Sam Koim. Another important milestone was the launch of the PNGUoT Strategic Plan 2025–2029 in February 2025. The University’s vision is to become the knowledge and technology hub of the Pacific region, delivering high-quality STEM education and conducting research that provides innovative solutions to real-world socio-economic challenges facing our region. Academic Excellence and Research Excellence form the two primary pillars of the Strategic Plan. The University continues to invest in these areas to ensure that our graduates are equipped with high-quality qualifications and the skills required to contribute meaningfully to national development. Partnership and Operational Excellence constitute the other two pillars of the Strategic Plan. The University Bursary continues to demonstrate strong accountability and transparency in financial management. The 2023 financial audit was completed with another unqualified opinion issued by the Auditor-General of Papua New Guinea. This achievement marks an unprecedented nine consecutive years of unqualified audit outcomes for the University. The administration of the University remains committed to providing a supportive and productive working environment for our academic and professional staff. Their dedication ensures that PNGUoT continues to fulfil its mission of delivering quality education, advancing research, and serving the nation. Further details of the University’s academic and administrative achievements during the year are presented in this Annual Report. Professor Ora Renagi OBE Vice Chancellor
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Papua New Guinea University of Technology Annual Report 2024
Vice Chancellor’s Overview The year 2024 was another milestone in the growth and transformation of the Papua New Guinea University of Technology (PNGUoT). Among the highlights was the full accreditation of all five engineering programs offered by the Faculty of Engineering. In September, Engineers Australia conducted a rigorous review of our programs, including staffing levels, teaching facilities, experimental resources, and curriculum delivery. Students and staff were interviewed, and teaching methods were carefully assessed. On 18 December 2024, the results were released—granting PNGUoT Engineering courses full accreditation. This historic achievement has significantly enhanced the University’s profile, both nationally and regionally, and reaffirmed our reputation for excellence in engineering education. Alongside this success, PNGUoT made significant strides in strengthening its research capacity and knowledge dissemination. The University launched its inaugural Interdisciplinary Journal of PNGUoT (IJPNGUoT), creating a platform to showcase research generated within our institution. While many of our academic staff continued to publish in leading indexed journals worldwide, we are proud that senior professors chose also to contribute to IJPNGUoT, providing mentorship to younger academics through co-publication opportunities. The journal is already proving to be an invaluable training ground for the next generation of researchers. Our overall research output also grew considerably. Indexed journal publications increased from approximately 90 in 2023 to 120 in 2024, a remarkable growth that has boosted the University’s global standing and confirmed PNGUoT as the leading university in Papua New Guinea. Our academics remain at the forefront of international research, with several being widely recognized experts in their respective fields. In 2024, PNGUoT also took an active role in regional scientific collaboration through its involvement in establishing the Pacific Science Academy (PAC). I was honoured to serve on the Establishment Committee, and we are proud that one of our own, Professor Maino, was appointed a Foundation Fellow of the Academy. These engagements further strengthen PNGUoT’s role as an emerging science and technology hub in the Pacific. Complementing these efforts, PNGUoT successfully hosted the Research, Science and Technology Conference, where staff and students showcased their research and innovations to a broad audience. On the academic access front, the University continued to expand opportunities for students through online learning. Enrolments in online programs grew from 200 in 2023 to around 500 in 2024, reflecting the increasing demand for flexible learning options. Given the constraints on campus enrolments caused by limited accommodation, this expansion represents a vital growth avenue. We are also grateful for the Australian Government’s support in funding the construction of a new 100-bed female dormitory, which will further ease accommodation pressures and promote greater access for women students. Financially, PNGUoT is proud to have achieved its fifth consecutive year of unqualified audit results. This reflects our commitment to sound governance and transparent financial management. While our administrative processes remain operationally effective, we recognize the need for greater efficiency and are working towards improving systems through automation. In December 2024, we successfully concluded the 2020–2024 Strategic Plan. An independent performance review indicated that we had achieved approximately 70% of the strategic objectives, a result that reflects the dedication of our executive management and staff. Importantly, the lessons learned from this period have in formed the development of a more focused and realistic Strategic Plan for 2025–2029. With a clear vision to position PNGUoT as the leading science and technology innovation hub in the Pacific region, this new strategy was launched in January 2025 and sets the path for our next phase of growth and impact. In closing, 2024 has been a year of remarkable progress and achievement for PNGUoT. From academic accreditation to research excellence, from financial integrity to strategic renewal, the University has continued to strengthen its foundation and extend its influence regionally and globally. I extend my deepest gratitude to our staff, students, partners, and supporters for their contributions to these successes. Together, we are shaping PNGUoT into a world-class institution that delivers graduates and research outcomes to meet the real-world needs of our nation and the region. Professor Ora Renagi OL Vice Chancellor
Papua New Guinea University of Technology Annual Report 2023
Vice Chancellor’s Overview PNGUoT has achieved significant milestones in 2023, marking another successful year. The governance of the University has been further consolidated in compliance with the Higher Education General Purpose Act 2014. The Council, now reduced from 26 to 13 members, includes specific appointments to cover a wide range of professional expertise, such as engineering, accountancy, HR, law, and IT, to better serve the strategies of PNGUoT. The only ex-officio in the Council is the Vice Chancellor. We proudly announce that PNGUoT has a new Chancellor, Mr. Sam Koim, a prominent lawyer and a statesman. The new Council has continued to focus on the outcomes of the Strategic Plan 2020 – 2024, ensuring progress in strengthening the pillars of the University for future growth. The Executive Management focused on improving teaching quality and research output relevant to the PNG industry, government, and communities. Progress has been steady regarding the accreditation of the engineering programs. Targets in securing equipment and facilities upgrades were achieved. Interactive teaching engagement between students and staff has also reached the desired outcomes. Improvements in practical training for students have progressed well, ensuring that students have been prepared well for the industry. The culture in research has advanced further with the increased intake of postgraduate students. PNGUoT has achieved a 4.5% increase in student intake, mainly through online delivery. PNGUoT continues to build its reputation as a knowledge hub of science and technology for PNG and the region. The Administration of PNGUoT has also gained positive traction, ensuring performance in the administrative and academic functions of the University. The strategic objective to ensure administrative effectiveness and performance has led to the outsourcing of some administrative functions that are now performing better. The campus is looking cleaner as a result. The dormitories are maintained well. Some buildings have been given a facelift. Added street lighting improved safety levels on campus, as well as security in general. Visitors from town frequently visit the campus for peace, tranquility, and physical exercise. The University continues to strengthen its financial position annually. In 2023, PNGUoT achieved a 4.5% growth rate, and the Executive Management plans to increase growth in the coming years through online and accredited programs. This demonstrates the organic growth of PNGUoT’s core business through the refinement of its curriculum. This product is marketable nationally and internationally, hence the solid financial position. Effectively applying cost reduction measures has seen surplus budget diverted for business development. Re-evaluation of PNGUoT properties reflects a fair value in the financial statement with a positive net worth of K340.20 million. We are hopeful and optimistic about the future financial growth of PNGUoT, and we believe that our stakeholders can share in this optimism. PNGUoT Council and Executive Management look forward to another year of growth and societal impact in 2024. Professor Ora Renagi OL Vice Chancellor
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Papua New Guinea University of Technology Annual Report 2022
Vice Chancellor’s Overview The past year, 2022, has been another triumphant year for PNGUoT. The implementation of the Strategic Plan continued. Given the focus on quality education, the Engineering Departments continued implementing strategic objectives towards full accreditation of their programs by 2024. Credit is accorded to the Chairman of the Industry Advisory Board, Mr. Luke Liria, for diligently guiding the accreditation process backed by the Dean of Engineering and the Accreditation Manager. The proactive leadership provided by the Engineering Departments has rubbed off on all other Departments. Under the able leadership of Professor Gonduan, a dedicated working committee was formed, directing all HODs to initiate the process of benchmarking respective courses to international or industry standards. The research budget has been augmented to K1 million. We are steadily progressing toward our strategic goal of fostering a robust research culture. Our staff has consistently engaged in research, publishing their findings in esteemed peer-reviewed journals. Many of these scholarly articles were showcased during the Huon Seminar, which took place from the 30th to the 31st of August at PNGUoT. Numerous staff and students presented their research findings on the theme of “Embracing engineering technology and science to mitigate poverty.” The Postgraduate School remains at the forefront of these research endeavours. The number at the postgraduate school had also increased to a total of 170 Masters and 30 PhD students. Given the focus on access, PNGUoT also increased its intake through on-campus and online teaching. There is a total of 3300 students on-campus. The PNGUoT started rolling out online courses to major centers around PNG in 2022, initially with 60 students. There are plans to increase these numbers in the coming years. The initial online courses included Business Accountancy, Communications for Development, Geomatics, and Agriculture for Rural Development. The Simbu Unitech Satellite University (SUSU) will be the model campus for the online delivery of PNGUoT courses to the provinces. The four consecutive unqualified financial audits have further strengthened the funding position of the University. The profile regarding PNGUoT accountability and transparency is reaching the hearts of the stakeholders. The bilateral partners have generously supported PNGUoT, thus; (a) Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited with K2.6 million for engineering laboratory equipment, (b) the Indian High Commission with K500,000.00 for IT equipment, (c) the Chinese Embassy with K100,000.00 for teaching equipment, (d) the Australian High Commission with K310,000.00 for academic strengthening program with the Engineering Depts. PNGUoT has focused strongly on maintaining its building and a facelift to the existing infrastructure, including staff housing. The campus looks brighter with renovation works on dormitories, academic and admin buildings, and the upkeep of the grounds. The security of the campus has improved markedly with the engagement of G4S and the guard dogs. We look forward to another successful year in 2023. Professor Ora Renagi OL Vice Chancellor
Papua New Guinea University of Technology Annual Report 2021
The Strategic Plan (SP) 2020 – 2024 is in its 3 rd year of operation, and the objective has now been cascaded down to Tier III of the staffing levels for action. Each staff member had to deliver time-bound key performance indicators (KPIs), and respective HODs at the Tier II level monitored the performance of each staff. The impact of COVID-19 affected the practical application of the strategic framework; however, much progress was made towards achieving major objectives. Performance assessment was not effectively rolled out due to a lack of HR capacity to operationalize action plans for each Department. This led to Council approval of the restructure at the Executive Management Level, where the Executive Director HR position was created to establish the function of effective performance management and appraisal system of each staff against progress towards achieving the objectives of the Strategic Plan. The SP 2020-2024 has seven (7) domains (pillars). However, given the restructure mentioned above, the functions of the Registrar position is now focused on STUDENTS only. It was, therefore, necessary to create a new domain. Therefore, the Strategic Plan now has Domain No. 8 focusing on STUDENTS. The goal of Domain 8 is to establish a conducive study and living environment for all students here at Unitech. Some additional duties include providing accommodation services and information on employment opportunities for students. Meanwhile, progress has undoubtedly been made in achieving key objectives under academic excellence. Critical requirements for advancing the engineering accreditation process have been met. The Chartered Practicing Accountants (CPA) PNG, have agreed to assist with accreditation of the Business Studies courses to industry standards. Architecture and Construction Management courses have already been benchmarked with the Australasian Architecture Schools Association (AASA) since 2008-2009, and now, in the process of accreditation. The Agriculture Department has successfully affiliated with the Australian Institute of Agriculturalists, qualifying the courses to have been benchmarked to Australian Standards. Benchmarking of other courses will be a time-bound KPIs for the Departments in 2022. The Executive Management decision to invest K800,000.00 into research is realizing the benefits. Unitech Postgraduate School has expanded to approximately 170 students with 15 PhDs increasing the research portfolio. Lecturers and Professors alike, while supervising students, have been publising papers in peer-reviewed journals on an average of 90 papers per year since 2020. This is a breakthrough for Unitech as very few papers have been published in past years. This has given rise to Unitech being the top University in PNG and in the top 20% of universities globally, as Uniranks Inc. A positive impact of COVID-19 was the establishment of the Online Course Delivery Working Committee, which began preparations for hardware and softwares to deliver Unitech courses online to remote students starting 2022. The funding position of the University has grown from strength to strength. The maintenance of the Unitech ailing infrastructure is progressing satisfactorily. Student dormitories have been given a facelift. Unitech has now been accorded another year of unqualified audits, bringing the total years to four (4). Financial reports indicate that Unitech has completed the financial year 2021 with an aggregated operating surplus of K10 million. The Executive Management will use parts of these funds to address the immediate demand for housing, student dormitory, and other infrastructure. Part of the fund was used to pay a one-off bonus to all University staff as a token of appreciation for successfully completing the academic year amidst the disruption due to COVID-19. Student numbers continued to rise in 2021. Unitech had a total of nearly 3000 students on the main campus. The high number was realized with the assistance from the Government HELP program. Many students who could not afford school fees successfully secured the HELP loan and enrolled to study. All student accommodation space on campus has been fully occupied, and submissions have been made to the Government’s PIP fund for more dormitories. The new Student Dining Hall construction has begun and will be completed and fully operational for Semester 1, 2023. Associate Professor Ora Renagi OL Vice Chancellor
Papua New Guinea University of Technology Annual Report 2020
Vice Chancellor's Overview This is the first time PNGUoT has prepared an Annual Report and I am very delighted that the report comes at a time when PNGUoT has, once more, secured a sense of direction with the launching of the Strategic Plan 2020 - 2024 in July 2020 that encapsulates the ideals of our envisioned future. Much of the preparatory work, done by key Council and Executive Management members (leading up to the final strategy) was based on review and assessment of reports from consultants and external institutional auditors as well as in-house SWOT analysis of Unitech as an organization. PNGUoT's Strategy for development comes with a Vision to grow world-class technocrats by 2024 enacted by a Mission to develop such world-class technocrats through high-quality experiential teaching, research, and ardent applications of science, technology, and innovation for the 'real world'. Our Mission is supported by seven Strategic Domains or Foundational Pillars. The Domains are; (1) Institutional Leadership and Governance, (2) Academic Excellence (3) Research, Innovation and Training (4) Organizational Effectiveness and Performance (5) Access, Externalization and Infrastructure (6) Financial Sustainability (7) Community, Industry and International Partnerships. Our values include high ethical standards, professionalism, diversity and inclusivity, innovation and initiative, plus pride and passion. PNGUoT is also committed to ensuring that students develop academic and personal qualities and graduate with attributes as being: (a) A life-long learner (b) A critical thinker (c) An effective communicator (d) A cultural modernist (e) Morally upright and (6) Technologically savvy. The new Council membership (introduced in 2013 after the 2012 crisis) consisted of highly reputablepersons who provided stable governance for the institution. Sir Nagora Bogan, who was Chancellor from 2013 - 2017, led the restoration of stability in governance with observance of policy, processes and procedures with accountability and visibility. Dame Jean Kekedo participated actively ensuring that the best persons were appointed to key executive positions at the University. Dame Kekedo's services continued with her elevation in 2017 to the position of Chancellor, whose term is still current. We are grateful to the other present members of the Council who have taken to heart the concerns of the University and are actively engaged in policy formulation and decision making on governance issues. Sir Bogan is especially acknowledged for his efforts in guiding and drafting the Strategic Plan 2020 -2024. While some confusion over the appointment procedures of leadership at Council and Executive Management levels remains, it is expected that these matters will soon be resolved Concerning Domain 2 on Academic Excellence, PNGUoT is making good progress on accreditation of the engineering programs. PNGUoT is already been granted provisional accreditation by Engineers Australia. The Dean of Engineering, Dr. Moses Kavi, is working closely with the University Management to ensure that the strategy adopted to achieve objectives required for full accreditation is in order. Associate Professor Augustine Moshi, the PVC Academic, is to be commended for his steadfast and meticulous attention to detail related to the accreditation program. I also commend the Industry Advisory Board, under the leadership of Mr. Luke Liria representing Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited (KPHL), who have financially supported the University to secure laboratory equipment. Other companies represented on the lAB include ExxonMobil, Oil Search, Ok-Tedi, Newcrest, and the PNG Institute of Engineers. I expect that all other degree courses of the University will also be similarly accredited or benchmarked to international or industry standards in the near future. The Academic Quality Assurance Team of PNGUoT has also been active and has been conducting an assessment to ensure that staff are delivering quality teaching and learning to students. This includes the preparation of subject files for each unit and assurance that all learning materials are digitally available to all students. The Teaching & Learning Methods Unit (TLMU) is tasked to provide training to staff with skills for students centered learning with a focus to inculcate the graduate attributes among all students. The ultimate goal of PNGUoT is to be the hub of science and technology for PNG and the Asia-Pacific region. This will be achieved through research, innovation and the application of knowledge generated to provide solutions to issues arising from within industry and communities. We also have the largest post-graduate program in the country with over 200 students. Our research program topics are in Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, Energy, Engineering (Mining, Mineral Processing, Electrical, Civil and Mechanical), Environmental, Physical and Chemical Sciences, Climate Change, Building Construction and Architecture, Information Technology, Surveying and Geographical Information Systems and Communication for Development. PNGUoT is, in turn, building academic staff capacity with the recruitment of our graduates qualifying with Masters and PhD degrees. PNGUoT is making headway in automating its learning and management systems. UNI 10 is a learning management system that has recently been installed to integrate various students' records including admission, registration, examinations, transcripts and boarding and lodging into one platform for ease of operations. This system will later be interfaced with the PNGUoT accounting system to manage online fee payment and finances. The Registrar's Office has employed the iChris platform to automate and manage HR services including recruitment, contracts and performance of staff. Academic staff are using Google Classroom to manage teaching and learning for students. Given the challenges posed by the onset of COVID-19, staff are now using Zoom for interactive teaching with students online. Part of this Strategy assumes the provision of effortless internet access. While PNGUoT did have a network capacity, it only delivered an 80Mbps with a Wi-Fi coverage barely reaching staff residencies and students halls of residence. The COVID-19 crisis has impacted the teaching and learning delivery methods between all staff and students and thus compelled the management to invest in the expansion of the internal internet network to transmit wider bandwidth of 200Mbps through a bigger in-house optic fiber network, along with a wider Wi-Fi network reaching all students and staff with stronger signals. PNGUOT projected a student intake of 15% for 2020 in alignment with the strategy to expand access. However, with the introduction of the student Higher Education Loan Program (HELP), more students were able to obtain government loans to pay school fees. The total increase in intake was therefore 30% compared to 2019, which has brought up the total undergraduate student numbers to 3000. This increase exhausted all the dormitory space available to students. Bed spaces had been reserved for TESAS students; however, due to the reduced number of TESAS qualifying students, more spaces became available. These extra dormitories were all taken up by self-sponsored students contributing to increase in internal revenue for the University. Furthermore, PNGUoT is currently externalizing its courses through a satellite campus and is planning to deliver more courses online. These actions will allow us to expand intake in 2021 and beyond. The University has struggled to secure PIP funding for new dormitories and cannot presently accommodate these increasing number of students on the main campus. Every effort is thus being made to secure K 10 million funding from Incentive Fund to build a 150-bed dormitory for female students In terms of infrastructure, PNGUoT has now turned the corner towards financial stability. It began when the Council resolved not the renew the student messing contract to iPi Catering Ltd at the end of 2019. Since in-sourcing of catering, the Management has annual savings of nearly K 6 million per year. These savings have been used elsewhere including maintenance of our aging infrastructure, increasing funding to our research activities, community development programs and ICT and Library improvement services. Solar street lights have been installed to improve security. CCTV cameras have been installed in the mess and the main gate and work on the students' residences border with the settlements are ongoing. Sincerely, Associate Professor Ora Renagi OL PhD Vice Chancellor
Kumu and Lamu’s Forest Adventure is an early reader children’s book set in the rich natural environment of Papua New Guinea. The story follows two boys as they explore the forest near their village, encountering native wildlife such as the cassowary, tree kangaroo, and bird of paradise. Written in simple, accessible language, the book supports early literacy development while introducing young readers to local biodiversity and cultural context. Accompanied by Teacher/Parents Guide, this work also serves as a practical classroom resource. The book aims to promote reading skills, environmental awareness, and appreciation of Papua New Guinea’s unique natural heritage among early primary learners.
Copyright (c) 2026 Papua New Guinea University of Technology Press https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/
This songbook is a collection of Christian hymns and spiritual songs compiled, composed, and translated into Tok Pisin by Jonah Askai for use within local church communities in Papua New Guinea. Developed with the support of the Crystal Independent Fundamental Baptist Church, Wau-Waria, the book aims to make biblical teachings and worship more accessible through familiar language and culturally relevant expression. The songs reflect core Christian themes including salvation, faith, repentance, and praise, and are designed for congregational singing, personal devotion, and evangelism. Many pieces are inspired by traditional hymns, thoughtfully adapted to suit the linguistic and spiritual context of Tok Pisin-speaking communities. Published as an open-access, non-commercial resource, this songbook seeks to strengthen worship practices, encourage participation in church life, and support the spread of the Gospel across Papua New Guinea.
Copyright (c) 2026 Jonah Askai and Crystal Independent Fundamental Baptist Church, Wau-Waria https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
This book provides a comprehensive introduction to Wolfram Mathematica as a powerful computational tool for mathematics, programming, data analysis, and web-based applications. It is designed to guide readers from the fundamental concepts of Mathematica through to more advanced topics, including symbolic computation, graphical visualization, programming techniques, data handling, and web deployment. The early chapters introduce the Mathematica environment, including its notebook interface and basic operations for mathematical computation. The book then progresses into symbolic mathematics, covering algebraic manipulation, calculus, equations, and other core mathematical functions. It further explores graphical and visualisation tools that allow users to represent mathematical concepts and data in clear and meaningful ways. In addition, the book develops programming skills within Mathematica, introducing both procedural and functional programming approaches for building computational solutions. It also addresses data handling techniques, including importing, exporting, and analysing real-world datasets. The final chapter introduces WebMathematica, demonstrating how Mathematica-based computations and visualisations can be delivered through interactive web applications. Overall, this book serves as both a learning resource and a practical guide for students, educators, and professionals seeking to apply computational thinking and mathematical software tools in academic, scientific, and applied environments.
Copyright (c) 2026 Mohsen Aghaeiboorkheili, Kamran Hassani, and Mansooreh Kazemilari