The University of Papua New Guinea’s School of Business & Public Policy

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The University of Papua New Guinea’s School of Business and Public Policy is the other key education partner of the Precinct. It strives to create public sector leaders through the pursuit of excellence in learning, discovery, and impact for both Papua New Guinea and the Pacific Region.

The School has positioned itself as one of the leading business schools in Papua New Guinea and an emerging institution in the Asia-Pacific Region. Its vision is for business and public policy that drive sustainable growth in Papua New Guinea.

UPNG SBPP is committed to the values in the National Public Service’s Ethics and Values-Based Executive Leadership and Management Capability Framework, and the Gender Equity and Social Inclusion Policy.

The Precinct is supporting the School of Business to become a regional centre of excellence in the important governance disciplines of economics and public policy, providing direct benefits to students and building the capacity of faculty members.

It has continued the partnership between UPNG and the Crawford School of Public Policy at the Australian National University. This partnership is supporting the school to become a research hub, enabling academics and students to contribute to the nation’s understanding of the challenges and opportunities it faces.

Australian National University academics live in Port Moresby and are part of the UPNG SBPP. They teach economics and public policy subjects to hundreds of undergraduate students each year, and assist with curricula design, capacity development and research agendas.

[/vc_column_text][vc_tta_accordion][vc_tta_section title=”Master of Economics and Public Policy” tab_id=”1563168761402-aaba4392-730a”][vc_column_text]The seconded academics also teach subjects as part of the Master of Economics and Public Policy, which was launched in March 2017 with Precinct support. The degree is designed to develop professionals with the knowledge and ability to create and implement effective policy in the national interest.

In 2019, DPM selected ten public servants to commence the master’s program on Precinct scholarships supported by the PNG-Australia Partnership.[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”New School of Business” tab_id=”1563168761419-8ab1756b-e50e”][vc_column_text]The new School of Business & Public Policy opened its doors for the first time in 2019. The modern learning infrastructure is a regional centre of excellence for the next generation of economic and public policy experts. The School’s learning, office and communal spaces emphasise inclusivity, openness and foster a positive environment for staff and students, including access for people living with disabilities.[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][/vc_tta_accordion][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Courses and discussion

The Precinct contributes to the development of ethical and capable leaders who will act in the public interest to better ensure effective and accountable service delivery for Papua New Guinea.

Intensive training is provided for current and emerging public sector leaders, and policy debate, collaboration and coalition-building is promoted around key governance challenges.[/vc_column_text][vc_tta_accordion][vc_tta_section title=”Future Leaders Program” tab_id=”1563168918706-45a089ae-dce0″][vc_column_text]The Future Leaders Program was launched in 2017 and provides vocational training that is tailor-made for Papua New Guinea’s public sector, and offers a pathway for public servants to make the step up to decision making positions. It is centred on the development of core skills for the public service, including leadership capabilities, strategic thinking and policy development.

The Future Leaders Program is a partnership between the UPNG SBPP and the University of Queensland, with guidance from the Department of Personnel Management.

The nine-month program consists of three intensive two-week blocks at the School of Business, which engages public servants with a combination of skills-based training, peer-to-peer learning, participatory exercises, class discussions, coursework and workplace projects.[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Short courses” tab_id=”1563168918720-6cf2926c-b7bb”][vc_column_text]The Precinct’s intensive short courses respond to demand for skills and knowledge pertinent to public sector leaders, both from central agencies in Port Moresby and around the country. Courses have included:

  • Ethical Leadership for Decision Making;
  • Inclusive Strategic Leadership
  • Public Speaking and Speech Writing; and
  • Writing for Government.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Discussion events” tab_id=”1563169027736-887d29bc-07ca”][vc_column_text]Precinct discussion events facilitate dialogue and debate on Papua New Guinea’s development challenges, and how ethical leaders can support positive change. They bring together senior public servants, private sector leaders and civil society actors for discussions on key policy areas and issues of national importance.

A highlight was the 2018 APEC Discussion Series at the Precinct, which fostered informed policy debate and gave Papua New Guineans unprecedented opportunities to engage with local and international experts. More than 3,500 people attended nine public events and many followed on TV and radio – they explored a range of APEC themes and policy issues that are important to PNG and the Pacific. Topics included trade, agriculture, mining, health, women in leadership, SMEs and the digital economy[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][/vc_tta_accordion][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Governance

The Precinct is overseen by an Executive Advisory Board of eminent individuals, who have been appointed to provide strategic advice and guidance.

The Precinct’s decision-making body is the Joint Steering Committee, which receives strategic direction from the Executive Advisory Board. The Joint Steering Committee provides management oversight of Precinct activities and facilitates cooperation between participating institutions.

The Executive Advisory Board meets twice and year and the Joint Steering Committee convenes once per quarter.

DPM is represented by Acting Secretary Taies Sansan on the Joint Steering Committee (as co-chair) and the Executive Advisory Board.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]