THE University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) and the Board of Regents of the Universities of Wisconsin signed a Memorandum of Intent on May 29 to establish a formal international academic and cultural exchange partnership — a historic first between an American and Papua New Guinean university.
Professor Ian Findlay, UPNG Vice-Chancellor, traveled to the American Center at the U.S. Embassy for a signing ceremony with Johannes Britz, Senior Vice President for Academic & Student Affairs, Board of Regents of the Universities of Wisconsin, who attended virtually. The signing ceremony marks a significant milestone in U.S.–Papua New Guinea people-to-people relations, reinforcing the United States’ commitment to strengthening academic ties and institutional collaboration across the Pacific region.
“This groundbreaking partnership demonstrates the strength of U.S.-PNG educational cooperation and our shared commitment to advancing academic excellence,” said U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Alex Berenberg, who served as witness to the signing. “Educational exchanges like this create lasting bonds between our nations and empower the next generation of leaders in Papua New Guinea and the United States.”
The three-year agreement establishes a foundation for cooperation across a range of shared academic priorities, including:
- Joint development of a framework to communicate a shared understanding of the relationship’s nature and goals, reduce barriers for participating campuses, and create clear pathways to participation,
- Exploration of degree pathways for students,
- Survey and communication of opportunities for faculty and student research collaboration,
- Organization of virtual exchange opportunities, and
- Encouragement of in-person visits between both campuses.
“Education has always been at the heart of Papua New Guinea’s development, and partnerships like this one remind us that our ambitions are shared beyond our borders,” said a UPNG spokesperson. “We are honoured to stand alongside the Universities of Wisconsin System as we chart a new course in international academic collaboration.”
“The Universities of Wisconsin System is proud to take this historic step with the University of Papua New Guinea,” said a Universities of Wisconsin spokesperson. “This partnership reflects our deep belief that universities have a responsibility to build bridges across cultures and continents — and we are eager to learn from one another as we work toward shared goals in research, education, and exchange.”
While non-binding in nature, the MOI signals a strong institutional commitment from both parties to pursue meaningful collaboration and create lasting academic connections between Papua New Guinea and the United States.
The Universities of Wisconsin serve more than 160,000 students across 13 universities, while UPNG is Papua New Guinea’s oldest and largest university, educating the nation’s future leaders across diverse fields.
Both institutions will designate coordinators to facilitate collaboration and regularly assess progress. The agreement may be extended beyond three years by mutual consent.
The U.S. Mission in Papua New Guinea welcomes the signing as a demonstration of the enduring partnership between the United States and Papua New Guinea, and as a reflection of shared values around education, opportunity, and people-to-people engagement.