PNG's education sector now offers more opportunities for students to pursue affordable, high-quality tertiary education in their own country with the official opening of the Philippines Christian University (PCU) Papua New Guinea Campus.
This University is part of a broader vision of the founder and Director of Waigani Christian College and member for North Waghi, Hon. Benjamin Mul, to provide quality education for country’s growing population, recognizing PNG’s need for more higher education institutions.
This initiative is partnership between PNG Christian University Ltd and the Philippines Christian University, aiming to provide internationally accredited university courses to students in PNG.
The official opening of the University on March 5th also saw the presentation of two new 25-seater buses to the new administration of PCU-PNG Campus and 14 new classrooms opened.
MP Mul said: “Philippines Christian University is 79 years old and is one of the oldest universities in the Philippines that enrolls 36,000 students annually with 8 campuses around the world offering internationally recognized courses.”
“The partnership with Philippines Christian University will allow students in PNG to receive internationally accredited programs through utilizing online technology without having to leave the country,” he added.
The University marks the growth of the Waigani Christian College, which provided education from kindergarten to Grade 12 and is now moving into tertiary education.
Waigani Christian College Principal, Mr. Abakure Kaupa, said the idea of establishing a university had been under discussion for some time.
The turning point came during the school’s 10th anniversary celebration, attended by Prime Minister James Marape, the Minister for Education, and the Ministry for Higher Education. During this event, the school made its intentions clear, receiving initial encouragement from government officials.
Following this, PNG Christian University Ltd was registered as a company, allowing it to legally engage in educational partnerships. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed with PCU on December 17, 2024, establishing a four-year collaboration (2025–2028).
Under this agreement, PCU's internationally accredited courses will be offered at the PNG campus, while PNG Christian University works towards meeting full accreditation requirements under PNG’s higher education laws.
PCU-PNG Campus will primarily offer online courses through the Philippines Christian University, utilizing upgraded internet-equipped classrooms at the Waigani campus. Initial courses will exclude law, nursing, and medicine due to regulatory and facility constraints.
However, other undergraduate programs will be available, with a minimum enrollment requirement of 30 students per course for classes to commence.
The first intake was originally planned for March 2025 but has been delayed until June 2025 due to ongoing registration processes with the Department of Higher Education, Research, Science, and Technology (DHERST). The minimum GPA for admission will be 2.6 or higher, depending on the program.
To ensure accessibility, tuition fees will be structured to be affordable while maintaining quality standards, MP Mul said.
Discussions are underway with the Government's Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) to enable students to access financial support.
Beyond the university partnership, Waigani Christian College is also focusing on Early Childhood Teacher Education, a key initiative aligned with PNG’s 1-6-6 education policy.
This program will operate independently of PCU and will be guided by the PNG Department of Education curriculum.
The government has recognized only three institutions in PNG to offer early childhood teacher training:
- University of Goroka (UOG)
- PNG Education Institute (PNGEI)
- YWCA Early Childhood Education College
Waigani Christian College is now set to become the fourth recognized higher education institution, following a PGK 5 million commitment from the Minister for Education, Lucas Dekena. The college has already engaged consultants from UOG to develop course materials, and lecturers are in place to commence training.
MP Mul emphasized that the goal is not just to provide higher education but to ensure high-quality standards. The university will work closely with DHERST and the Department of Education to ensure compliance with national regulatory frameworks.
Plans are also in place to expand infrastructure, including a multi-story university building to accommodate growing student numbers, he added.
With the University’s first-degree programs expected to launch by mid-2025, PCU-PNG Campus provides an alternative pathway for students who may not have secured placements in PNG’s existing universities.
Vice Chancellor for Philippines Christian University-PNG Campus Dr. Margie Dela Cruz said the partnership marked a promising journey of academic exchange, innovation, and challenges.
She said, “We will use technology to its fullest potential in providing quality education.
