The Centre for Excellence in Financial Inclusion (CEFI) and the Western Pacific University (WPU) have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly promote entrepreneurship, fintech, financial literacy, and microfinance education in Papua New Guinea (PNG).
The MoU between CEFI and WPU signifies a collaborative effort to advance education, particularly in the realms of entrepreneurship and microfinance, fostering mutual growth and development. The MoU outlines several areas of collaboration, including:
- Support WPU with the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Hub programs
- Set up of the Fintech Hub with support from WPU
- Curriculum Development and Implementation
- Monitoring and Evaluation of Program Impact
- Industry linkages and Stakeholder engagement
The MoU was officially signed on Friday, April 11, in Mt. Hagen by CEFI’s Acting Executive Director, Mr. Peter Samuel, and WPU President, Dr. Janet Rangou (PhD). This strategic partnership signifies a shared commitment to building human capacity, promoting innovation, and equipping students with practical skills to drive economic growth and financial empowerment across the country.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Mr. Peter Samuel expressed enthusiasm for the partnership.
“We’re very excited about this collaboration and truly appreciate WPU’s innovative spirit. Attending the graduation today gave us confidence that we are partnering with an institution that shares our mission to empower our people. We look forward to the opportunities this partnership will create.”
In response, Dr. Janet Rangou highlighted the value of the partnership for student development, saying:
“We hope this collaboration will allow us to equip our students with lifelong, practical skills that will serve them and their communities long after graduation.”
Earlier in the day, Mr. Samuel and his team attended Western Pacific University’s inaugural graduation ceremony at its campus in Ialibu, Southern Highlands Province. A total of 99 students graduated in various disciplines, including Certificate in Higher Education, Bachelor of Arts in International Business Management, Bachelor of Science in Computer Networks, and Bachelor of Science in Computer Programming. The event also celebrated the official opening of the WPU’s state-of the art e-Library.
The keynote address was delivered by Hon. Peter O’Neill, Member for Ialibu-Pangia and former Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea. He spoke passionately about the university’s journey since its conception in 2012, noting that its founding idea emerged from the need to bring higher education closer to remote communities.
“This university is a national institution that has grown through both local and international support. It’s not just for the Southern Highlands but for the entire country,” said Mr. O’Neill.
Echoing this sentiment, Southern Highlands Governor Hon. William Powi described the graduation as a historic milestone for the province and the nation.
“While the graduating class may be small, their success marks the beginning of a legacy of educational transformation,” he said. The Governor also announced K68, 000.00 in tuition support and a K1 million contribution toward university infrastructure and services, with potential future investments in student facilities and postal services.
Minister for Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, Hon. Kinoka Feo, also addressed the ceremony, reaffirming the government’s commitment to expanding higher education in PNG. He highlighted increased budget allocations, the expansion of the Higher Education Loan Program (HELP), and the PESA initiative as examples of national efforts to ensure quality education and accessibility for all.
Minister Feo also acknowledged the contributions of key figures in the establishment of WPU, and the Department of Higher Education, along with other stakeholders who guided the institution through official government processes.
In her remarks, Dr. Janet Rangou paid tribute to several individuals instrumental in WPU’s journey, including the late Sir Peter Barter, Professor Father Jan Czuba, and the former PNG Prime Minister and current Ialibu-Pangia Member Hon. Peter O’Neill , thanking them for their vision, support, and belief in the power of education. She emphasized WPU’s ongoing mission to become a university of choice in PNG and beyond, committed to lasting societal impact.
Dr. Rangou concluded by expressing gratitude to students, staff, partners, and the WPU community, underscoring their collective role in shaping a more educated and inclusive future for Papua New Guinea.
