PRIME Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has welcomed the continued expansion of Papua New Guinea’s landmark Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Overseas Scholarship Programme, describing it as one of the most important long-term investments ever made by the Government in developing the country’s future Scientists, Engineers, Innovators, Medical Researchers, Technology Experts and National Leaders.
Prime Minister Marape made the remarks following the latest orientation of Papua New Guinea’s newest STEM Scholarship recipients who will soon depart for the United States to pursue Studies at leading American Universities, joining hundreds of Papua New Guineans already studying in the United States, China, India, Malaysia, Fiji and other countries underthe Government’s Overseas STEM Scholarship Initiative. The Prime Ministersaid the Programme reflects the Marape-Rosso Government’s unwavering commitment to transforming Papua New Guinea into a modern, knowledge-based Economy driven by Innovation, Science, Technology and highly skilled Papua New Guinean Professionals. “A nation’s greatest Resource is not what lies beneath its ground, but whatisinside the minds of its people.
Our Government has deliberately invested in our brightest young Papua New Guineans because they are the generation that will build the Industries, Technologies, Infrastructure, Research Institutions and Public Services that will define Papua New Guinea over the next fifty years.”
Prime Minister Marape said the latest group of Scholarship Recipients represents another milestone in a Programme that has grown significantly since its establishment under the Marape-Rosso Government. He noted that the first cohort of outstanding STEM Students from the National Schools of Excellence began graduating in 2022, following the introduction of the specialised STEM Curriculum, with many proceeding to Universities both within Papua New Guinea and Overseas under Government-Funded Scholarships. Since then, the Programme has continued to expand each year.
In 2023, the Government sent its first Group of 43 Outstanding STEM Students to Universities in the United States under full Government Scholarships. In 2024, the Programme expanded substantially, with 76 Students departing for Universities in the United States, while another 30 Students commenced Studies in India. Additional Students also pursued Studies in China and Fiji under the same Initiative, with the Government covering Tuition, Travel and Student Support costs. The Programme continued its rapid growth in 2025, when approximately 160 Students from the 2024 Grade 12 cohort were awarded Overseas Scholarships, taking the cumulative number of Students studying Overseas under the Programme to more than 360
by the end of that year. Students were placed in Universities across the United States, China, India, Fiji and, for the first time, Malaysia.
Prime Minister Marape said this remarkable expansion demonstrates the Government’s determination to ensure that deserving Papua New Guinean Students receive access to world-class Education and Research opportunities that would otherwise remain beyond their reach. “We are building a generation that will compete with the very best minds in the world. These young Papua New Guineans willstudy in globally recognisedUniversities, learn from world-class academics, conduct research using advanced technology and return home equipped with knowledge that will transform our country.”
The Prime Minister said the Overseas Scholarship Programme complements the Government’s broader Education Reforms, including the strengthening of STEM Education in Papua New Guinea’s National Schools of Excellence, increased investment in Higher Education, and expanded Scholarship opportunities for deserving Students. He said Students are pursuing Studies in diverse and strategically important fields including Artificial Intelligence, Engineering, Biotechnology, Medicine, Agricultural Science, Information Technology, Environmental Science, Renewable Energy, Aerospace Engineering, Data Science and other specialised disciplines that will become increasingly important as Papua New Guinea develops.
Prime Minister Marape said Papua New Guinea’s Economic future will increasingly depend on its ability to develop highly skilled citizens capable of driving Innovation across every Sector of the Economy. “Our Vision 2050 and our long-term Development aspirations require more than Infrastructure and Investment. They require highly educated Papua New Guineans who possess the skills, creativity and confidence to solve complex challenges, establish new industries, improve healthcare, modernise agriculture, develop digital technologies and create jobs for future generations.” The Prime Minister encouraged all Scholarship Recipients to remain humble, disciplined and focused during their Studies Overseas while serving as ambassadors for Papua New Guinea. “Study hard. Learn from the world’s best. Respect the cultures of your host countries while proudly representing Papua New Guinea. Never forget where you come from, because the ultimate purpose of this investment is for you to return and serve your people.”
Prime Minister Marape also thanked the Governments and Educational Institutions of the United States, India, China, Malaysia, Fiji and other partner Nations for their continued collaboration in providing opportunities for Papua New Guinean Students to study at internationally recognised Universities. He said these Educational Partnerships not only strengthen people-to-people relationships but also build lasting strategic cooperation between Papua New Guinea and its International Partners in Science, Technology, Research and Innovation. “As our country prepares for a future driven by Digital Transformation, Advanced
Technology and a more diversified Economy, these young Scholars will become the Engineers, Doctors, Researchers, Scientists, Innovators, Educators and Policymakers who will help shape Papua New Guinea’s next chapter of National Development,” Prime Minister Marape said.