By DALCY LULUA
THE Government of Papua New Guinea (GoPNG) through the Department of Higher Education Research Science and Technology (DHERST) have signed a revived Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Solomon Islands Government to facilitate scholarship programs for young people from Solomon Island.
The MoU, signed yesterday, stipulates that GoPNG will facilitate scholarship programs for young people of Solomon Islands to study in universities and colleges in PNG for five (5) years.
Under the leadership of the then Prime Minister Peter O’Neill, he had made a commitment to support students from Solomon Islands to come study in PNG and now under the leadership of Prime Minister Marape, the commitment was revived.
Speaking during the signing ceremony at the Conference of Pacific Education Ministers Meeting (CPEM) in Apec Haus, Minister for DHERST, Hon. Kinoka Feo said, “We are happy to undertake this important signing where we are able to support some of your students to come and study in our universities and colleges.”
He further states that PNG made a commitment to support students from Solomon Islands by then Prime Minister Peter O’Neill.“That commitment has been renewed by our current Prime Minister, Hon. James Marape, and because of that, we are here to officially sign the MoU so we can effective it.”
“The need for education is huge in the Pacific region,” the Minister stated.
“Our Pacific Island nations leaders are here, discussing how we can collaboratively work together to support our young people in the region.
“Papua New Guinea being the bigger brother, we should not just think of ourselves, but also think of the region as well and be able to support, play more of a big leadership role in the region and support smaller Pacific Island nations.
“We have our challenges here, but it’s always good to give out a lending hand,” Minister Feo added.
Solomom Islands’ Minister for Education and Human Resources, Hon Tozen Leokana thanked the past and present government of PNG for making commitment and meeting it.
“Today is something that is going to be on the history of our country. And of course, the continuation of the collaboration between these two countries.
“We see through the path that you take; we always emulate the path that PNG has taken as a country. As a small brother, we like to give thanks to the PNG government for your continued support.””This is not new, we are just reviewing, reaffirming and revitalizing the commitment that our past leaders have done,” Minister Leokana added.