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Why PSTP Participants Are Central to My PhD Study on PNG–China Relations

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In examining how China’s HEEPs influence relations between PNG and China, I designed my PhD study to reflect the diversity of educational exchange pathways. Among the seven survey groups, the Public Sector Training Program (PSTP) cohort stands out as a critical focus—not just for their participation in short- and medium-term training in China, but also because of their role in implementing national policies back home. This group includes officers and professionals from the Special Economic Zones Authority (SEZA) , National Department of Health (NDoH) , and the Department of Defence and PNG Defence Force (DoD/DF) . A March 2023 news article from the Post-Courier highlighting China’s training of PNG officials in the Special Economic Zones (SEZ) concept—an example of Public Sector Training Programs (PSTPs) shaping technical cooperation between the two countries. These individuals are strategically important because they occupy positions within government systems where the knowledge, val...
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Digital Fieldwork: How I Built a LinkedIn Database for My PhD on PNG–China Educational Exchanges

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In conducting a nationwide and internationally scoped PhD project, one of the most practical challenges is reaching participants who are geographically scattered, institutionally diverse, and sometimes unknown to the researcher at the outset. This was the case for my study on the influence of China’s HEEPs on PNG–China relations. While I had conceptualized seven survey groups—including CGSP students, alumni, and participants in Chinese Language and Public Sector Training Programs—I needed a reliable and ethical way to identify and engage them. This is where LinkedIn became a vital tool in my research process. To build trust and visibility, I updated my LinkedIn profile to clearly identify myself as a PhD candidate at Divine Word University. I also added a concise summary of my research focus, uploaded a graduation photo from Jilin University , and used an AI-generated banner image symbolizing PNG–China educational cooperation. This visual storytelling helped signal my credibility an...
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Bridging Research and Practice: Why UoG and UoT Are Central to My PhD Study

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The growing influence of China’s Higher Education Exchange Programs (HEEPs) in PNG is no longer confined to theory or abstract policy discussion. It is unfolding in real time through the partnerships, programs, and student engagement facilitated by institutions like the University of Goroka (UoG) and the University of Technology (UoT). These two universities have become important actors in PNG’s education diplomacy, working with Chinese institutions and government partners to enhance language education, expand international linkages, and improve the quality of higher education. It is precisely this real-world engagement that my PhD research seeks to study, understand, and support. My research is not merely about assessing impact from afar. It is designed to provide evidence-based insights into how PNG’s participation in Chinese education programs is shaping bilateral relations, especially in the areas of diplomacy, cultural exchange, and development cooperation. UoG and UoT—through t...
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Extending the Deadline: Final Push to Reach All Participant Groups

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On April 2, 2025, I launched the main survey for my PhD research exploring how China’s HEEPs influence the relationship between PNG and China. Since then, I’ve been working steadily to reach participants from seven distinct groups across PNG and abroad. While participation from some groups has been encouraging, others have proven more difficult to reach. In light of these challenges—and to ensure all voices are fairly represented—I have extended the survey closing date from July 9 to August 2, 2025 . The purpose of this survey is to gather diverse perspectives from Papua New Guineans who have participated in CGSPs, CLPs, PSTPs, as well as those who were self-funded, sponsored by the PNG government through STEM or district-level scholarships, or participated in private training programs. These respondents are grouped into seven survey categories to enable clean data collection and analysis. To date, the strongest response rates have come from students currently studying in China and al...
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Making Sense of the Numbers: My Top 3 Quantitative Data Analysis Techniques

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As part of my PhD research on how China’s Higher Education Exchange Programs (HEEPs) influence PNG’s bilateral relations with China, I’ve spent the last few months collecting survey data from students, alumni, and public servants who participated in various HEEPs. These include the Chinese Government Scholarship Program (CGSP), Chinese Language Programs (CLPs), Public Sector Training Programs (PSTPs), PNG’s STEM scholarships, district-sponsored students, and privately funded learners. Now, with survey responses coming in from across the country and abroad, the focus shifts to analyzing the data. There are several statistical tools available for analyzing survey data, but not every technique is suited to every research project. Because my study uses an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design , the quantitative phase is not an end in itself—it informs the qualitative phase that follows. My goal is to choose analytical techniques that allow me to describe trends, compare experiences ...
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Extending the Deadline: A Final Push to Reach My Minimum Survey Targets

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One of the most important aspects of data collection in a PhD research project is knowing when to pause, reflect, and adapt. For the past few months, I’ve been collecting responses for my survey exploring the influence of China’s Higher Education Exchange Programs (HEEPs) on Papua New Guinea–China relations. The survey has been a key part of the quantitative phase of my explanatory sequential mixed-methods design, and I initially planned to close it on July 2, 2025 . However, after reviewing current response rates, I have decided to extend the closing date to July 9, 2025 . Screenshot of the change. This additional week will allow me to concentrate efforts on reaching three groups that are yet to meet the minimum response target of 80 participants per group . These are: PNG students currently studying in China , and students enrolled in the Chinese Language Programs (CLPs) at the University of Technology (UoT) and the University of Goroka (UoG) . While other participant groups—such as ...
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Understanding the Seven Survey Groups: Who Should Participate in My PhD Research?

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As part of my PhD research at Divine Word University, I’m examining how China’s Higher Education Exchange Programs (HEEPs) are influencing PNG’s bilateral relationship with China. These programs include scholarships, language courses, and public sector training opportunities. To capture the breadth of experiences, I designed my survey to target seven distinct participant groups. This structure ensures I collect nuanced data that reflects the different pathways through which Papua New Guineans engage with China’s educational diplomacy. The first group consists of PNG students currently studying in China . This includes those on Chinese Government Scholarships (CGSP), those sponsored by PNG’s STEM program, those funded by their district or provincial governments, and privately sponsored students. Many of these students have been reached through WeChat groups, LinkedIn, and university contacts. Their experiences are key to understanding China’s appeal and influence on future PNG professio...
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