The Governments of Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea (PNG) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Higher Education and Human Resource Development, further strengthening bilateral ties and cooperation in the higher education sector.
Under the agreement, the Government of Papua New Guinea will provide 200 undergraduate scholarships to Solomon Islands nationals for study in Papua New Guinea’s tertiary institutions and colleges between 2026 and 2031.
Each year, 50 scholarships will be awarded, with the program commencing in 2026 and continuing until 2031 or until all scholarships have been utilized.
The MOU was signed on Wednesday, 19 March 2025, by Hon. Tozen Leokana, Solomon Islands Minister for Education and Human Resource Development, and Hon. Kinoka Hotune Feo, PNG Minister for Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology & Sports.
The signing ceremony took place as a side event at the 2025 Conference of Pacific Education Ministers (CPEM) Meeting, currently underway at APEC Haus in Port Moresby.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Hon. Feo expressed his delight at the agreement, emphasizing PNG’s commitment to regional solidarity.
“As the bigger brother country in the region, Papua New Guinea continues to play a greater leadership role and support the smaller Pacific Island nations, like Solomon Islands,” said Minister Feo.
On behalf of the Solomon Islands Minister Leokana welcomed the signing of the MOU and conveyed his sincere gratitude to the Government of Papua New Guinea for its ongoing support.
He noted that PNG has provided tertiary education opportunities to many Solomon Islanders over the years, highlighting the strong educational ties between the two nations.
Minister Leokana also shared that he himself was educated in Papua New Guinea at the Pacific Adventist University.
The agreement marks a significant step in strengthening educational cooperation and fostering human resource development, ensuring that Solomon Islands students have access and opportunity for quality higher education in Papua New Guinea.
Also present at the signing was Solomon Islands High Commissioner to PNG, H.E William Soaki, senior officials from the Solomon Islands Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development, and senior officials from the Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology.
An initial MOU was signed by both countries in 2014 which expired in 2018 resulting in a review which culminated with the signing.
– SI Chancery Office in PNG
