A new library and Early Childhood Education Centre have officially opened at Sonoma Adventist College in East New Britain, following a PGK13.7 million investment supported by the Australian Government.
Australia’s High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, Ewen McDonald AM, officially opened the facilities alongside Minister for Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology Kinoka Feo, East New Britain Governor Michael Marum, Secretary for the Department of National Planning and Monitoring Koney Samuel, leaders of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and representatives of the college community.
The project was funded through Australia’s Incentive Fund, with Sonoma Adventist College contributing more than PGK1 million to the project.
The new facilities are expected to strengthen student learning, research and practical teacher training at the college.
The library will provide students with improved access to learning resources, research materials and study spaces, while the Early Childhood Education Centre will provide early childhood education students with practical training in a professional learning environment.
The centre will also provide early learning services for local families, with capacity for approximately 20 to 30 children annually.
Sonoma Adventist College is one of only two institutions in Papua New Guinea authorised to offer a degree in early childhood education. The college typically enrols about 15 students each year in the programme.
The new centre is also expected to support women to continue their education or participate in the workforce while their children receive early learning services.
Minister Feo said investment in education infrastructure was essential to developing Papua New Guinea’s future workforce.
“These new facilities will strengthen the quality of education and training available at Sonoma Adventist College, particularly for students preparing to become early childhood educators,” he said.
“Investing in their skills is also an investment in the children they will teach and in the future of education in Papua New Guinea.”
East New Britain Governor Michael Marum welcomed the new facilities, saying the investment would create greater education and skills development opportunities for young people in the province.
“We greatly appreciate the Australian Government’s continued partnership and support to East New Britain. Sonoma will create greater opportunities for our young people through education and skills development,” Governor Marum said.
High Commissioner McDonald said the investment would provide long-term benefits for students and the wider community.
“Strong education outcomes depend on well-trained teachers and access to quality learning resources,” he said.
He said the new library would improve access to resources and study spaces, while the Early Childhood Education Centre would help prepare future educators and provide learning opportunities for children and families in surrounding communities.
Sonoma Adventist College Principal Roboam Kakap said the facilities represented an important investment in the quality of education provided by the college.
“Our early childhood education students will now be able to gain practical experience in a professional learning environment here on campus, while the centre will provide a valuable service for children and families in our surrounding communities,” he said.
“The new library will also give students across the college better access to the resources and study spaces they need to succeed.”
The project was delivered through the Incentive Fund, a flagship partnership between the governments of Papua New Guinea and Australia and overseen by an independent board in partnership with the Department of National Planning and Monitoring.
Over more than 25 years, the Incentive Fund has supported 90 completed infrastructure projects across all provinces of
Papua New Guinea, with investments aimed at strengthening services, supporting communities and creating economic opportunities.