By Orchy Andono
MINISTER for Higher Education, research, Science and Technology and Sports Hon. Kinoka Fotune Feo launched the PNG National Research Institute Corporate Plan 2024 – 2028 and Revised Strategic Plan 2021 – 2030 in Port Moresby yesterday.
“The Corporate Plan is intricately linked to the NRI Strategic Plan, which itself captures the aspirations of the Medium Term Development Plan 2023-2027, Vision 2050 and other key government policies” he said.
Minister Foe also acknowledged the contributions of the Papua New Guinea National Research Institute (PNGNRI) over the years in providing evidence – based information for informed decision making.
“The National research Institute has long been the intellectual backbone of our nation’s policy making processes. In an era of unprecedented global challenges and rapid technological change, the role of a premier think tank has never been more critical”
“The dedicated researchers, staffs, council and management of the National research Institute, your commitment to excellence and your passion for National Development are what makes this institute exceptional,” he added.
The PNGNRI is mandated by the National Research Institute Act 1993 to conduct applied social and economic research and provide expert advice to government, in order to find solutions in addressing PNG’s social and economic problems.
Minister Feo stressed that the government needs evidence based information for its decision making. As the minister responsible for Research in the country, he would endeavor to provide the leadership and drive to strengthen the role of research and development in the country through established intuitions including PNGNRI.
Council Chairman of PNGNRI, Mr. Wilson Thompson in his remarks said, “The new Corporate Plan, which the PNGNRI council has approved follows from the previous Corporate Plan 2021-2023. The previous Corporate Plan was reviewed and the lessons learnt were incorporated in to this new Corporate Plan”.
The chairman highlighted that the Corporate Plan is also aligned to the country’s Medium-Term Development Plan (MTDP) IV 2023-2027 and other relevant plans and policies of Government.
Mr. Thompson emphasized that the PNGNRI Council is committed to ensuring that the management of the institute and staff work together to ensure the objectives of this corporate plan are achieved and to drive the role of PNGNRI as the country’s premier research institute and independent policy think tank.