THE Government of Papua New Guinea (GoPNG) today signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Queensland University of Technology (QUT), establishing a strategic partnership to support Papua New Guinea’s National Digital Transformation Agenda.
The MoU was signed by the Acting Minister for Information and Communications Technology, Peter Tsiamalili Jr., on behalf of the Government of Papua New Guinea, and Professor Margaret Sheil, Vice-Chancellor and President of the Queensland University of Technology. The Signing was witnessed by Kinoka Feo, Minister for Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, and Professor Mark Harvey, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President of QUT.
Prime Minister James Marape, who witnessed the ceremony, described the partnership as a significant milestone in Papua New Guinea’s journey towards building a modern, efficient and digitally enabled Public Service.
“The Digital Transformation must be the way Government serves our people,” Prime Minister Marape said. “We must embrace artificial intelligence, digital government and modern ICT systems to improve efficiency, eliminate unnecessary bureaucracy, strengthen transparency and accountability, and build a Public Service that rewards merit and delivers quality services to every Papua New Guinean.”
The Prime Minister reiterated that Digital Transformation is a key pillar of the Government’s long-term National Vision following Papua New Guinea’s 50th Independence Anniversary and forms part of a broader agenda to modernise Government over the next 15 years.
Under the partnership, Papua New Guinea and QUT will collaborate in areas including Digital Government, Research and Innovation, Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Digital Identity, Workforce Capability Development, Institutional Strengthening and Knowledge Transfer. Prime Minister Marape emphasised that the Government remains firmly committed to protecting Papua New Guinea’s sovereignty over Government data.
“Government information is a national asset. Every digital solution developed under this partnership must protect Papua New Guinea’s ownership, control and security of its data while complying with our national laws, cybersecurity standards and governance frameworks,” he said.
The Prime Minister also reaffirmed his commitment to building a merit-based Public Service through the use of Digital Technologies that improve transparency in recruitment, procurement, decision-making and service delivery. He encouraged Government Agencies and QUT to move swiftly from policy to implementation, with the objective of delivering tangible progress before Papua New Guinea celebrates its 51st Independence Anniversary.
Prime Minister Marape welcomed opportunities to expand collaboration beyond digital transformation, including higher education, STEM programs, research partnerships, academic exchanges and innovation initiatives. He also encouraged closer institutional partnerships between QUT and Papua New Guinea’s Universities to strengthen local capacity and develop future leaders. The Government acknowledged the leadership of Acting ICT Minister Peter Tsiamalili Jr., Minister for Higher Education Kinoka Feo, the Queensland University of Technology, the Department of Prime Minister and National Executive Council, the Department of ICT, the State Solicitor’s Office, the Australian High Commission, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and all Officials whose efforts made the Partnership possible.
The MoU establishes the strategic framework for future implementation agreements, which will define project priorities, governance arrangements, funding mechanisms, cybersecurity requirements, licensing, maintenance and knowledge transfer to support Papua New Guinea’s Digital Transformation Agenda.
The Government of Papua New Guinea remains committed to building a secure, sovereign, innovative and citizencentred Digital Government that improves Public Service delivery, strengthens institutions and creates greater opportunities for all Papua New Guineans.