Enga University makes history with first graduation, lighting a path for PNG’s future

Enga University marked a historic milestone as Papua New Guinea’s newest university held its inaugural graduation ceremony at the Wabag campus on May 23, 2025.

The event celebrated the achievements of 166 pioneering graduates from the university’s four foundational faculties: Education, Science, Business & Management, and Public Health/Nursing.

The milestone event drew over a thousand guests from across the hilands,  including dignitaries, families, international partners, and community leaders. Colorful singing performances, traditional dress, and cultural rituals added a distinctly Engan spirit to the academic celebration.

The establishment of Enga University was the realization of a decade-long vision led by former Governor Sir Peter Ipatas, who first proposed the idea in 2015 to address educational access for local youth. The Enga University Act was passed in 2022, paving the way for a campus that blends local architecture and traditions with modern facilities.

Sir Peter Ipatas hailed the university as “a gift to the nation, born of courage and built by the people.” Other national and provincial leaders echoed praise, including representatives from UNDP, JICA, and DFAT Australia, who lauded the university as a model of self-reliance and resilience.

Graduates shared emotional testimonies of hardship and hope, such as Monica Pake, who overcame the loss of her mother during studies, and Mary Puk, a mother of four who returned to school and received the Chancellor’s Medal for Academic Excellence.

Chancellor Anna Bais, the first woman to lead a university in PNG’s Highlands, acknowledged ongoing challenges including infrastructure gaps and funding needs while outlining bold plans: the addition of new faculties by 2030 and the launch of Enga Academic Review, the university’s first research journal.

A standout feature of the university is its Centre for Indigenous Knowledge and Community Empowerment (CIKCE), which integrates traditional Engan wisdom into the academic curriculum and aims to publish an Enga Cultural Encyclopedia by 2030.

The university has already begun transforming local communities economically and socially, with businesses, transport, and rental sectors growing around the campus. Parents expressed pride that their children could now study and serve within their province.

Educators nationwide have hailed Enga University as a potential model for decentralized, culturally grounded education. Provinces such as Hela, Bougainville, and Simbu are now exploring similar initiatives.

As the sun set behind Enga’s mountains, the graduates tossed their caps into the air—a powerful symbol of light emerging from the highlands, carrying a message of hope for the future of Papua New Guinea.

"They said our mountains were too far, too hard, too hidden," said graduate Miok Sundi. “But today, from these mountains, we send out light.”