Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea – IBSUniversity has taken an important step in expanding its academic portfolio and strengthening Civil Engineering education in Papua New Guinea through a high-level consultative meeting with representatives of the Institution of Engineers Papua New Guinea (IEPNG).

The meeting was held from 10.30 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. at the Corporate Boardroom, IBSUniversity, bringing together senior representatives from IEPNG and IBSUniversity to discuss the proposed establishment of a School of Engineering, with the initial focus on offering a Civil Engineering degree programme in collaboration with its Australian study partner institution.

[IMAGE 1: Meeting attendees]
Caption: Representatives of IEPNG and IBSUniversity following the consultative meeting on the proposed School of Engineering and Civil Engineering degree programme.

The IEPNG delegation included Mr. Sen Hugo, IEPNG Past President / Council Member; Mrs. Edea Bouraga, IEPNG Past President / Ex-Officio Board Member; Mr. Benedict Mick, Chief Executive Officer of IEPNG; Mrs. Toksy Tanabi, Member Services Coordinator; Mr. Terence Roana, IEPNG Port Moresby Branch Member; and Ms. Musawe Mupangke, IEPNG Port Moresby Branch Member.

IBSUniversity was represented by Dr. Glory Sujitha, Acting Vice-Chancellor and Acting Pro-Vice Chancellor; Eng. M.A. Kanchana Pradeep Senanayaka, Project Manager; and Mr. Supun Lalitha, Project Engineer.

[IMAGE 2: IEPNG Representatives During the Existing Facility Visit at IBSUniversity].

The discussion focused on how IBSUniversity can develop and deliver an internationally recognised Civil Engineering programme that is relevant to the Papua New Guinea context. The initiative is intended to produce industry-ready graduates, strengthen local engineering capacity, and help address the shortage of qualified engineering professionals required for PNG’s growing infrastructure and construction sector.

The University highlighted that the proposed programme aligns with Papua New Guinea’s long-term development aspirations, including Vision 2050, under which major infrastructure, construction, and national development projects are expected to continue across the country. IBSUniversity noted that the current number of Civil Engineering graduates entering the local market is not sufficient to fully support the scale of planned and ongoing development.

A key outcome of the meeting was the shared view that IBSUniversity should adopt a strong international curriculum model while tailoring it to the PNG environment. IBSUniversity is currently working with Southern Cross University, Australia, its long-standing education partner of 26 years, to explore the academic model, curriculum structure, and delivery pathway for the proposed programme.

During the meeting, IEPNG officials provided valuable professional insights on accreditation pathways, graduate outcomes, practical training, research development, and industry engagement. One important suggestion was for IBSUniversity to consider the possibility of offering a Sydney Accord-aligned three-year engineering technology pathway, in addition to the University’s initial plan to pursue a Washington Accord-aligned four-year Civil Engineering degree pathway. IBSUniversity acknowledged this recommendation and will assess the most suitable model through its ongoing feasibility studies and consultation process.

The meeting also emphasised the importance of strengthening hands-on learning, laboratory-based teaching, field exposure, internships, and research and development in engineering. These areas will be considered in the proposed programme structure to ensure that graduates are not only academically qualified, but also practically competent and ready to contribute to the engineering profession and the construction industry.

[IMAGE 3: Proposed building for the School of Engineering]
Caption: Concept design of the proposed facility to support Engineering and related academic programmes at IBSUniversity.

As part of the University’s development vision, IBSUniversity presented the concept design of a proposed new three-storey building to support Civil Engineering and other academic programmes. The proposed facility is expected to include modern teaching spaces and laboratory facilities to strengthen the practical learning experience of students. The estimated cost of the building, which may be shared with another school, is approximately K25 million.

IBSUniversity also explained its wider 25-year Development Plan, which includes the planned introduction of new academic areas such as Law, Nursing, Health Sciences, Science, Technology and Engineering. The University’s master plan sets out a staged infrastructure development pathway from 2025 to 2050, including academic buildings, an Innovation Centre, sports facilities, a School of Accounting and Finance, a Convention Centre, and future teaching and learning facilities.

The proposed Civil Engineering programme is expected to commence in February 2031, subject to the completion of feasibility studies, regulatory requirements, academic approvals, accreditation considerations, and further engagement with IEPNG, the Professional Engineers Registration Board (PERB), and IBSUniversity’s Australian partner institution.

IBSUniversity further shared its strategic roadmap towards becoming a world-class university, beginning with the pursuit of QS Stars rating as a national first, followed by longer-term ambitions to build visibility in global and subject-based university rankings. The University explained that academic reputation, research output, employer reputation, employment outcomes, faculty-student ratio, international collaboration, sustainability, and industry partnerships will form part of its long-term transformation agenda.

IEPNG officials welcomed the initiative and agreed to continue supporting IBSUniversity through professional advice and consultation. As the next step, IBSUniversity will visit Southern Cross University in Australia, prepare a concept paper, and subsequently develop a detailed project proposal for further review by IEPNG and PERB.

The meeting marked an important milestone in IBSUniversity’s effort to establish a nationally relevant and internationally benchmarked Civil Engineering programme. Through collaboration with IEPNG, PERB, industry stakeholders, and its Australian academic partner, IBSUniversity aims to contribute to the development of a new generation of engineers who can support Papua New Guinea’s infrastructure growth, construction sector, and long-term national development.