Sponsored by Australia Awards PNG, librarians and information professionals from across Papua New Guinea (PNG) participated in the Australian Library and Information Association Conference alongside peers from Australia and around the world in May.
23 librarians and information professionals returned from Sydney with new skills, global networks and connections, and practical strategies to expand access to knowledge and research in their institutions.
They represented a diverse range of PNG institutions, universities, nursing and teachers’ colleges, and the PNG Maritime College, reflecting the breadth of the country’s higher education sector.
The program addressed the everyday challenges facing PNG’s tertiary libraries, from moving services online and supporting digital learning, to managing information, leading teams, and engaging communities.
As demand grows for digital study options, stronger research support, and links to international education, initiatives like this help librarians and information professionals build the practical systems that make higher education work and ensure students succeed.
The initiative reflects the broader PNGAus Partnership commitment to strengthening PNG’s higher education sector and investing in the institutions that will shape the country’s future workforce and leadership.
By building professional links between PNG and Australian institutions, the initiative also strengthens long-term collaboration, knowledge exchange, and people-to-people connections between the two countries.
Participants returned to PNG ready to apply their new knowledge and share lessons with colleagues.
Geena Iga Kuson from the Pacific Adventist University said the experience provided valuable exposure to new approaches in library and information services.
“This is my very first time that I am collaborating with International Librarians who are also interested in what we do and the conference gave us space and the opportunity to learn so we can adapt to our own institutions, particularly around digital services, leadership, and improving access to information for students and researchers.” said Ms Kuson
“It was also valuable to connect with colleagues from across PNG and Australia and exchange ideas about the common challenges and opportunities facing tertiary institutions.” said Ms Kuson
Australia Awards PNG is supporting PNG tertiary institutions to enhance their teaching, learning and leadership capability to build a high quality, future-focused higher education sector in PNG.
ENDS
ALIA Conference participants take in a group photo in Sydney..
For further information, including access to related materials, please contact the Australian High Commission media team: +675 7090 0100