A capacity building and networking program for women researchers supported by the Australian Government will be held in Lae in November, following a similar successful program conducted in Port Moresby in June.
The Australian Asia Pacific Economy Cooperation (APEC) Study Centre at Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) University, Melbourne, in collaboration with the Papua New Guinea-Australia Partnership, is delivering the 3-year capacity building program to enhance the research skills of women in PNG’s agricultural and economic research sectors.
The women researchers completed the initial five-day workshop in Port Moresby. The training covered research methodology, data analysis and management, report writing, leadership, teamwork in research, data-driven decision-making, and policy assessment.
PNG academic Anna Kapil participated in the Port Moresby workshop. Ms. Kapil is a lecturer in economics at the School of Business and Public Policy, University of PNG, and recently completed her Master of International and Development Economics at the Australian National University.
Reflecting on the workshop, Ms. Kapil said, “I think it’s a really good program focusing on the need for research skills, particularly among early-career researchers. The group included researchers from public, private and research institutions and several universities. This diversity highlights the range of challenges and capacities, so it was good that the workshop started with foundational concepts.”
She added that participants, especially those involved in data collection, benefited from making connections and expanding their networks to support peer learning and knowledge exchange.
“The workshops are designed to enable participants to develop their skills further and with these different experiences and expertise, it will help us to learn from each other more and build each other up,” Ms. Kapil said.
In addition to the training workshop, top-performing participants from the program may be selected for a 4-week advanced training placement in Australia.
Women researchers currently working in economic or agricultural analysis and employed by a recognized academic, research or government institution or working in a private business or NGO in a research-active environment, in or near Lae and the Northern region, are encouraged to apply to join the training in Lae. The training will be delivered in Lae from 26 November to 2 December 2025.
Closing date for expressions of interest is Friday 17 October 2025. Contact info@apec.org.au to discuss your eligibility and how to apply.
The capacity building program will strengthen the skills of women researchers in Lae, and across Papua New Guinea, and promote evidence-based decision-making related to economic development.