By DALCY LULUA
THIRTY Papua New Guinean students preparing to pursue science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) studies in the United States attended a two-day pre-departure orientation hosted by the U.S. Embassy in Port Moresby and the Papua New Guinea Department of Education on August 4 and 5.
The students are recipients of the 2026 PNG STEM Scholarship Program, which will support their studies at leading American universities, including South Dakota State University, North Dakota State University, South Dakota Mines, the University of Wisconsin–Madison, the University of Northern Iowa, and the University of Houston, Texas.
Speaking at the orientation, U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires ad interim Andy Covington encouraged the students to make the most of the opportunities ahead.
“You will be learning in the same classrooms, laboratories, and research environments that have produced world-changing discoveries,” Covington said. “I encourage you to seize every opportunity to contribute your own ideas, because the next breakthrough could come from one of you.”
The 2026 STEM Scholarship Program is principally sponsored by Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited, reflecting its commitment to supporting Papua New Guinea’s future workforce in science and technology.
The orientation equipped students with practical information to help them transition successfully into American university life. Sessions covered academic expectations, student visa requirements, cultural adjustment, and introduced participants to the Essay Writing Resource Center, an online platform designed to strengthen academic writing skills.
The U.S. Embassy congratulated the scholarship recipients on their achievement and wished them success as they begin their academic journey in the United States, expressing confidence that the knowledge and experience they gain will contribute to Papua New Guinea’s future development.