Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea – Monday 19 October 2026: The National University of Vanuatu (NUV) and the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) have signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 19 October 2026, marking an important step towards strengthening academic cooperation and institutional ties between the two national universities.
The agreement establishes a framework for collaboration in teaching, learning, research and cultural exchange, reflecting the shared commitment of both institutions to advancing higher education and building stronger connections across the Melanesian region.
Rooted in the spirit of Melanesia, the partnership recognises the importance of solidarity, shared identity and mutual support among Pacific nations. As national universities, NUV and UPNG have a particular responsibility to develop local talent, strengthen research capacity and contribute to the social, economic and cultural development of their respective countries and the wider region.
Mr. Jean-Pierre Nirua, Vice-Chancellor of the National University of Vanuatu, said:
“This partnership reflects the spirit of Melanesia and our shared determination to strengthen the links between our two national universities. As members of the same Melanesian family, we have much to learn from one another and much to achieve together. By bringing our institutions, academics and students closer, we can build stronger regional capacity, create new opportunities for our young people and contribute more effectively to the development of our countries. We want this agreement to be more than a formal commitment: it should be the foundation for practical cooperation and lasting friendships between our universities and our people.”
The MoU identifies several priority areas for cooperation, including joint research projects and academic publications, exchanges of academic staff and students, graduate alumni engagement, the development and improvement of academic programmes and courses, and cultural exchanges involving students and lecturers. Student sports competitions and other mutually agreed educational and research initiatives will also provide opportunities to foster connections and a stronger sense of regional community.
The partnership is intended to translate institutional commitment into concrete opportunities for students and staff, while encouraging the sharing of knowledge, expertise and experience between Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea.
For NUV, the agreement represents an important step in advancing its international engagement and strengthening cooperation with regional higher education institutions. For both universities, it is an opportunity to reinforce the role of national universities as drivers of knowledge, innovation and sustainable development in the Pacific.
For UPNG, this agreement strengthens UPNGs relationship with its neighbouring university and build durable human capital and deepen people-to-people links between PNG and Vanuatu. Student exchanges, co-supervision, joint degrees or short courses, and staff development can expand access to specialised expertise while retaining talent in the region, rather than relying solely on study abroad. For UPNG, it offers a stronger Melanesian research network and opportunities to contribute its established disciplinary depth.
Professor Ian Findlay, UPNG’s Vice Chancellor said “We can support and learn from each other – both institutions operate in societies facing similar pressures—climate change, environmental degradation, food and water security, health-system capacity, digital transformation, and the need for skilled public- and private-sector leadership. A partnership can pool academic staff, research infrastructure, and local knowledge to produce evidence that is more relevant to Pacific conditions than imported models alone. We have already identified joint research, academic and training programmes, staff and student mobility, and cultural exchange as core elements of its proposed cooperation with NUV, while also emphasizing the integration of scientific knowledge with Indigenous and traditional ecological knowledge.
Most importantly, a formal UPNG–NVU partnership would give Pacific universities a greater collective voice in shaping regional policy, sustainable development, and the next generation of Melanesian leaders
By deepening their cooperation, NUV and UPNG reaffirm the value of working together as Melanesian institutions, building on their shared heritage to create new opportunities for future generations.”
Photo credit : UPNG
