Minister for Higher Education, Research, Science, and Technology, Hon. Kinoka Feo, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to research-driven national development with the launch of the National Research Institute’s (NRI) Corporate Plan 2024-2028 and Revised Strategic Plan 2021-2030 last March 6.
The Corporate Plan is linked to the PNGNRI Strategic Plan 2021-2030; the MTDP IV 2023-2027 and other relevant Government plans and policies.
Speaking at the launch at Port Moresby, Minister Feo highlighted the vital role of the NRI in shaping evidence-based policies and fostering innovation.
He emphasized that the newly launched Corporate Plan serves as an operational roadmap for the revised Strategic Plan 2021-2030, ensuring the institute’s work aligns with the government’s key policies, including the Medium-Term Development Plan 2023-2027 and Vision 2050.
Describing the Plan as more than just a document, Minister Feo called it a "blueprint and a call to action" for the country's intellectual and policy development.
He stressed that strategic research and innovation are critical to driving sustainable progress, adding that the Marape-Rosso Government strongly supports the integration of science and technology into national planning.
“This plan is a product of collaboration between government, researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders. It is through this unity of purpose that we will achieve our national goals,” he said.
Minister Feo commended the NRI for being the intellectual backbone of policymaking in Papua New Guinea. He acknowledged the importance of research in addressing emerging global challenges, noting that in an era of rapid technological advancements, think tanks like the NRI play a crucial role in bridging academic research with practical governance.
“You, the researchers and staff, are not just scholars, you are architects of national strategy. This plan embodies our commitment to turning knowledge into action, ensuring that evidence-based solutions drive our nation’s progress,” he said.
Attendees included the Council Members of the National Research Institute, Director of the National Research Institute, distinguished guests, management and staff of NRI, researchers, and members of the Council.
NRI Director Dr Osborne Sanida explained that the Institute has a motto of, “Inquire, Inform, Influence”, which is applicable across all research programs and non-research functions to ensure that it is the vision and underlying motto across its work.
The Corporate Plan is implemented through the development of Annual Work Plans, subject to financial and human resource constraints for each year. It covers the following key areas:
- Mandate and governance of the Institute;
- Vision, mission and core principles;
- Management and operational areas of the Institute;
- Organizational structure;
- Research protocols and plan alignment;
- Research Division Plan, comprising six research programs
- Plans for cross-cutting initiatives;
- Plans for hosted programs and projects;
- Corporate Services Division Plan, comprising five sections;
- Knowledge Management Division Plan, comprising two sections;
- Plan for capital investments
- Resourcing, assumptions and risk; and
- Strategic Implementation Framework and Monitoring and Evaluation protocols.
“I thank everyone involved in the compilation of this document. The Corporate Plan would not have been possible without the direction and oversight of the PNGNRI Council and the collective contribution from the Institute’s senior executive management; research program leaders; and CSD and KMD section heads. It is a plan that we can all be proud of as we collectively developed it and now own the document and implement it as a team,” Dr Sanida said.
The Corporate Plan outlines key research priorities that will enhance national competitiveness. Minister Feo stated that expanding research capabilities, fostering interdisciplinary studies, and strengthening collaborative networks will be essential in positioning Papua New Guinea at the forefront of policy innovation.
“Our nation’s most valuable resource is its intellectual capital,” he noted. “From economic policy to social innovation, from technological advancement to sustainable development, the NRI will be at the center of strategic thinking.”
The plan also details specific objectives, including:
- Defining critical research priorities,
- Identifying necessary resources for implementation,
- Establishing measurable performance indicators, and
- Developing operational strategies for effective execution.
Minister Feo urged the NRI’s researchers, staff, and council members to embrace the Corporate Plan as a mission statement for national development, noting the institute’s role as a guiding force in policy decisions, using rigorous research to navigate the country through complex challenges and opportunities.
“As Nelson Mandela once said, ‘Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.’ Today, we reaffirm our belief in the power of research, the strength of strategic thinking, and our collective ability to shape a brighter future,” he stated.
“Today, we make a commitment to the pursuit of knowledge, the advancement of innovation, and the realization of our shared vision for a prosperous and sustainable future,” he added.
