Alumni meet, discuss leadership

Education

PAPUA New Guinea and Australia’s dynamic partnership and the enduring benefits of education was on show last week at a reintegration workshop for recent graduates of the prestigious Australia Awards Scholarships programme.
The 52 graduates took part in a workshop from June 20-21 to deepen links with other alumni and future employers and connect with the PNG Australia Alumni Association (PNGAAA), which will continue to support them.
Participants were those who completed studies in Australia from late 2018 and early 2019 in priority sectors such as health, education and governance.
The workshop’s key aims were to further develop ethical leadership capabilities and support the leadership role the Australia Awards Alumni can play in PNG’s economic and social development.
Australian High Commission Minister Counsellor for Governance Andrew Egan commended the alumni’s achievements and encouraged them to share their experiences as they returned home.
“You are the change makers,” he said.
“You are the people with the knowledge and skills to bring positive change to the people of your great country, in all of the sectors you work in.”
Each year, the Australia Awards programme – funded by the
Australian government – offers about 90 full-service scholarships to Papua New Guineans to pursue qualifications in Australia.
At least 50 per cent of all scholarships are awarded to women.
One such scholar is Rulin Ketauwo, who recently graduated with a Master of Public Health/Master of Business Administration from James Cook University in Queensland, and took part in the workshop.
“It’s time to build a better Papua New Guinea,” she said.
“With our newly acquired qualifications, we hold the power to affect lives, make decisions and drive change in our societies.
“I was privileged to take part in the Australia Awards programme and look forward to keeping up the immensely valuable knowledge and connections I made during my time in the years ahead.”
Australia Awards alumni are expected to drive change, contribute to Papua New Guinea’s leadership capacity, influence priority regional development issues in Papua New Guinea and build strong partnerships and links between PNG and Australia as well as organisations from both countries.