University of Papua New Guinea

**University of Papua New Guinea**
Motto	To be dedicated to the pursuit, advancement and dissemination of knowledge, understanding and wisdom
Type	Public
Established	1965
Vice-Chancellor	Professor Albert Mellam
Students	15,000
Location	Port Moresby, National Capital District, Papua New Guinea
Campus	There are two major campuses in Port Moresby. Waigani main campus and Taurama Medical Faculty.
Affiliations	ACU; ASAIHL
Website	www.upng.ac.pg

The University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) is a university located in Port Moresby, capital of Papua New Guinea. It was established by ordinance of the Australian administration in 1965. This followed the Currie Commission which had enquired into higher education in Papua New Guinea. The University of Papua New Guinea Act No. 18, 1983 bill repealing the old Ordinance was passed by the National Parliament in August 1983.

The university has moved from a departmental to a school structure to foster interdisciplinary and inter-school relationships. The university's library is known as the Michael Somare Library, named after the country's first Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare.

In recent times, the university has seen significant changes to its ageing infrastructure with the Government of Papua New Guinea handing over the 2015 Pacific Games Village to the university for the purposes of becoming student dormitories. There are other several major infrastructure development were made in partnership with the Australian Government of a new and modern lecture theater, School of Business and Public Policy complex and a Student Services building. The Government of Papua New Guinea is also funding several projects such as School of Natural and Physical Sciences building and the newly-completed School of Law complex.

There are more than 15,000 students annually in Port Moresby campuses, five open campuses and 13 study centres. While majority of the students are from Papua New Guinea, there are international students from other Pacific countries especially from the Solomon Islands who currently study at the university. The UPNG School of Law is currently the only law school in Papua New Guinea.

There are programs in:

Problem-based learning (PBL) approaches are used.

Alumni

Kalkot Mataskelekele, President of Vanuatu
Hank Nelson, historian^[3]
Peter O'Neill, Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea
Mekere Morauta, former Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea
Paias Wingti, former Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea
Powes Parkop, governor for National Capital District
Cecilia Nembou, educator, women's rights activist, and first female vice-chancellor for a university in Papua New Guinea
Vincent Eri, The fifth Governor General of Papua New Guinea