It was the 9th of August 2025. A team of trio from IBSUniversity will be traveling to the Autonomous Region of Bougainville from Port Moresby to visit all the secondary schools in the island.

First to arrive at the Jackson’s International Airport was Stanis, the ever-reliable ICT Team Leader. A proud son of Buin, his anticipation was different—this was not just another official trip, but a heartfelt return to the island he calls home. Shortly after, Mombruai, the University’s Marketing Manager arrived. Known for her contagious laughter and warm energy, she lit up the room with her East Sepik charm, eager for her very first visit to Bougainville. Completing the trio was Winnie, the Registrar of IBSUniversity, whose radiant smile reassured her two colleagues that this was going to be a memorable journey. For both Winnie and Mombruai, it was their first time to visit Bougainville, and their excitement was unmistakable—one could feel it simply by passing them in the departure lounge.

At precisely 10:45 a.m., the team boarded the plane and flew across the New Guinea skies. Just under two hours later, they touched down in Buka, greeted by the lush landscapes and welcoming breeze of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville. From there, the real adventure began. A boat ride across the Buka Passage, followed by a grueling yet scenic eight-hour drive along the winding Buka-to-Buin highway. That long drive tested their endurance but also deepened their appreciation of the purpose and of why they are visiting this part of Papua New Guinea.

The aim is to visit six secondary schools across Bougainville following the Memoradum of Understanding that the Nadesaligam Foundation for Education Limited (founded by IBS Founder Sir Mick Nades), signs with the Autonomous Bougainville Government’s education secretary Ms. Dorothy Kenneth and Mr. Tonny Malamo, chairman for all principals and the principal for Arawa Secondary School to offer five (5) full scholarships to top-performing Grade 12 girls from Bougainville who wish to pursue studies at IBSUniversity.

The scholarships will be awarded to these six selected secondary schools under the initiative that reflects Sir Mick’s personal conviction and is deeply inspired by the UNESCO message:

“When you educate a girl, you educate a family.”

The six Secondary schools are:

1. Arawa Secondary School
2. Buin Secondary School
3. Hutjena Secondary School
4. Tonu Secondary School
5. St. Mary’s (Asitavi) Secondary School
6. Bishop Wade (Tarlena) Secondary School

Along the way, the team also had the privilege of visiting St. Vincent FODE and Runa Private Secondary School. Each school the Team visited was more than just an engagement—it was an opportunity to inspire, to listen, and to connect with young people in Bougainville.

The roundtrip around the Island of Bougainville reaffirmed the long-standing mission of IBSUniversity—to create pathways for education that change lives, empower communities, and build a nation. Through moments of laughter, storytelling, and shared aspiration, the trio carried the spirit of IBSUniversity into all the schools in AROB filled with potential, proving once more that we are always “passionately committed to providing responsive and value-driven programmes that stimulate personal development, organizational growth and building of our nation Papua New Guinea.”