New Ireland Province is moving closer to securing a landmark international education partnership following high-level discussions between Governor Byron Chan and executives of the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA in Manila last week.
The meeting, held on the sidelines of Governor Chan’s engagement with the Development Academy of the Philippines, explored opportunities for collaboration in nursing, healthcare, fisheries, maritime education, research, and scholarship programs that could benefit students and staff from New Ireland Province.
As a result of the preliminary discussions, both parties have agreed to pursue a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which is now being developed as the next step toward establishing a long-term institutional partnership.
Governor Chan said the proposed partnership aligns with his Government’s vision of investing in education, strengthening local institutions, and preparing New Ireland for future growth and self-reliance.
“This is about creating opportunities for our people and ensuring that our institutions are connected to some of the best centres of learning and professional training in the region,” he said.
“We are looking beyond our borders to identify partnerships that can deliver real benefits for our students, educators, and future workforce. Education remains one of the most powerful investments we can make as a province.”
During the visit, Governor Chan met with Senior Executive Vice President for Maritime Affairs, Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo and directors of the University of Perpetual Help to discuss opportunities for academic cooperation between the university, Lemakot Nursing College, and the National Fisheries College in Kavieng.
The Governor said the university’s strengths in healthcare education and maritime studies make it a natural partner for both institutions.
The University of Perpetual Help is widely regarded as one of the Philippines’ leading private higher education institutions.
The university offers a broad range of programs in medicine, nursing, allied health sciences, maritime education, engineering, business, public administration, and professional studies.
One of its key strengths is its connection to the University of Perpetual Help Medical Center, a modern teaching hospital that provides practical clinical training for nursing and healthcare students.
The institution is also recognized for its maritime and marine-related programs through its maritime education facilities, producing graduates who serve in the international shipping and maritime industries.
The New Ireland Governor said these capabilities present significant opportunities for students, particularly those pursuing careers in health and maritime-related fields.
“The university’s teaching hospital offers valuable opportunities for nursing students and educators, while its maritime and marine training expertise aligns closely with the needs of our National Fisheries College,” he said.
“This is the type of partnership that can expose our students to international standards while helping strengthen the quality of education and training available here at home.”
Under the proposed partnership, students and lecturers from Lemakot Nursing College could gain access to scholarship opportunities, advanced training programs, specialist courses, academic exchanges, and clinical attachments through the university and its medical facilities.
Similarly, the National Fisheries College could benefit from technical exchanges, professional development programs, maritime-related training, fisheries research collaboration, and opportunities for advanced studies in marine resource management and related disciplines.
Governor Chan said strengthening both institutions remains a priority as New Ireland seeks to develop a highly skilled workforce capable of supporting the province’s growing health and fisheries sectors.
“We want our students to have access to the best possible training and learning opportunities. At the same time, we want to build stronger institutions in New Ireland that can continue producing qualified professionals for generations to come.”
The discussions also complement the Provincial Government’s broader ambition of establishing a university in New Ireland.
Governor Chan said partnerships with respected international institutions are important building blocks in developing a strong tertiary education sector within the province.
“As we come towards realising the establishment of a university in New Ireland, it is important that we build relationships with internationally recognised institutions that can provide expertise, academic support, and collaborative opportunities.”
“We want New Ireland to become a centre for quality education and professional training in Papua New Guinea, and partnerships such as this help move us closer to that goal.”
Since returning to office, Governor Chan has placed education and human resource development at the centre of his administration’s agenda.
Recent initiatives have included the restoration of the provincial tertiary school fee subsidy program, capacity-building discussions with the Development Academy of the Philippines, support for women through the Empowering Mama Bilas Peles Program, and efforts to strengthen provincial institutions as part of New Ireland’s long-term autonomy aspirations.
The Governor said all of these initiatives are linked by a common objective, and that is investing in people.
“The future of New Ireland will be determined by the skills, knowledge, and leadership of our people. Every investment we make in education today is an investment in a stronger, more prosperous province tomorrow.”
The Provincial Government and the University of Perpetual Help are expected to continue discussions in the coming months as both parties work toward finalising the proposed MOU and identifying practical areas of cooperation.
If realised, the partnership is expected to open new educational pathways for New Ireland students while strengthening local institutions and supporting the province’s long-term development goals.