The Yegiora Files

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 ...

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...

A well-developed literature review is the foundation of any research project. In my study, which investigates how China’s Higher Education Exchange Programs (HEEPs) influence Sino-PNG relations, the literature serves a dual purpose. First, it provides the theoretical grounding—mainly soft power and education diplomacy—to frame the research. Second, it identifies empirical and policy gaps that justify the study. The literature not only supports my main research question but also helps address each of the three supporting questions. This review draws on academic literature and regional case studies spanning diplomatic theory, international education, and PNG’s foreign policy. Photo courtesy of Lake Media, showing me concluding my PhD confirmation seminar and taking notes of audience questions and comments, alongside Professor Maretta Kula-Semos, Professor of Humanities and Director of Higher Degrees.   The first category of literature addresses soft power and educational dipl...

As part of my PhD research exploring the influence of China’s Higher Education Exchange Programs (HEEPs) on PNG–China relations, I have refined the way I categorize participants. Rather than lumping all student pathways into a single group, I now group them into three categories based on their funding source and facilitation method: Chinese government–sponsored, PNG government–sponsored, and privately sponsored programs. This typology offers a more accurate reflection of the student experience and supports a more nuanced analysis of education diplomacy. The first category is Chinese government–sponsored programs , which includes the Chinese Government Scholarship Program (CGSP), Chinese Language Programs (CLPs), and Public Sector Training Programs (PSTPs). These programs are typically administered through the Chinese Embassy and Confucius Institutes, and target university students, public servants, and professionals. The goal is to build long-term people-to-people ties and enhance Chi...

When I designed the pilot survey for my PhD project in late 2024, one of the most important questions was also one of the simplest: Which Chinese Higher Education Exchange Program have you participated in or are you currently participating in? This was listed as Question 10 in the pilot and served a critical function—it allowed me to identify which program each participant had joined: the Chinese Government Scholarship Program (CGSP), Chinese Language Program (CLP), Public Sector Training Program (PSTP), or “Other.” At the time, it was a broad but essential tool to classify responses because all 30 invited participants received the same link. No group-specific links were used. Question 10 from the pilot survey used broad program categories. Feedback from participants suggested the need for more specific distinctions to reflect the growing diversity of PNG-China education pathways.   While the structure seemed sufficient at first, feedback from the 20 participants who completed th...

From November 22 to December 22, 2024, I conducted a pilot survey as part of my PhD research on how China’s Higher Education Exchange Programs (HEEPs) influence Sino–PNG relations. The pilot involved 20 participants and was designed to test the structure, clarity, and effectiveness of my survey instrument. It aimed to uncover how programs like the Chinese Government Scholarship Program (CGSP), Chinese Language Programs (CLPs), and Public Sector Training Programs (PSTPs) shape educational diplomacy and soft power in PNG. This preparatory step helped identify ways to refine the methodology before launching the main survey. Participants were recruited through purposive sampling using my personal and professional networks, including contacts on LinkedIn. I invited 30 individuals to participate and 20 responded. Of those, 55% were male and 45% were female . The average completion time was 22.35 minutes. Despite the limited number, their feedback was critical in exposing gaps and ambiguitie...

In recent years, PNG has expanded its educational engagement with China through a growing number of scholarship and training opportunities. These include not only the Chinese Government Scholarship Programs (CGSPs), Chinese Language Programs (CLPs), and Public Sector Training Programs (PSTPs), but also students who are privately sponsored, supported by their district development funds, or recipients of the PNG Government’s STEM scholarship program. As a PhD candidate at Divine Word University, my research seeks to understand how all these diverse forms of higher education exchanges collectively influence the nature of Sino–PNG relations. Presenting my research proposal during my PhD confirmation seminar. Photo courtesy of Lake Media. The title of my study is: “The Influence of China’s Higher Education Exchange Programs on Sino–Papua New Guinea Relations: A Soft Power Analysis.” I am using soft power as a theoretical lens to examine how education functions not just as a tool for human...

In a recent interview covered by Bastille Post , Papua New Guinea’s Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko praised the Butuka China–PNG Friendship School as a “school of excellence” and a cornerstone of PNG–China bilateral ties. He emphasized that the school’s modern infrastructure and bilingual education programs represent a model for what educational diplomacy can achieve. His remarks suggest a desire to scale up such partnerships across the country, prompting the question: should Madang be the next location for a China–PNG Friendship School? Tkatchenko pointed to Butuka Academy’s success in promoting people-to-people links, including producing students fluent in Chinese. These achievements, he argued, go beyond pedagogy and into the realm of diplomacy, where education becomes a tool for strengthening bilateral relations. For a province like Madang—strategically important, economically vibrant, yet educationally underserved—this vision offers both symbolic and practical potential. Mad...

China’s growing footprint in Papua New Guinea’s (PNG) higher education sector is most visibly expressed through a diverse range of exchange programs that now form a key pillar of Sino-PNG relations. These programs—ranging from full scholarships and language courses to vocational training and institutional partnerships—reflect a deliberate strategy by Beijing to cultivate goodwill, shape public opinion, and build long-term partnerships with the next generation of PNG leaders. This soft power approach complements China’s broader foreign policy goals in the Pacific, offering both opportunities and challenges for PNG’s development and diplomatic autonomy. Diagram showing the inventory of Chinese Higher Education Exchange Programs in PNG, including scholarships, language and cultural initiatives, institutional partnerships, and professional training pathways that contribute to China's soft power strategy in the Pacific. The most prominent among these programs is the Chinese Government S...

The recent Chinese Bridge–Chinese Proficiency Competitions held at Butuka Academy and the PNG University of Technology provide more than just a stage for language learning; they symbolize the expanding influence of China’s educational diplomacy in PNG. As a researcher examining China’s Higher Education Exchange Programs (HEEPs) and their impact on PNG–China relations, these events offer a timely case to explore how soft power strategies are playing out among PNG’s youth. Students perform a Tai Chi routine during the opening of the Chinese Bridge–Chinese Proficiency Competition at Butuka Academy in Port Moresby, showcasing the fusion of cultural diplomacy and educational exchange at the heart of PNG–China relations. The presence of senior Chinese diplomats, such as Ambassador Yang Xiaoguang and Counsellor Chen Jiliang, at both secondary and tertiary competitions indicates the high-level political and symbolic value China places on such platforms. These engagements go beyond the promotio...

Today marks the final opportunity for students, academics, public servants, and private sector professionals to participate in a national survey that will inform the development of a Postgraduate Program in Foreign Policy Analysis at Divine Word University . The survey officially closes tonight at 9:00 PM , and we encourage everyone who has not yet responded to take a few minutes to contribute their views. We extend our sincere thanks to all participants who have already completed the survey. Your insights are making a meaningful contribution to shaping a program that will reflect Papua New Guinea’s unique geopolitical, economic, and regional context . For those who are yet to take part, this is your chance to have your voice heard and help design a curriculum that prepares future leaders in diplomacy, trade, and international relations. The proposed postgraduate program is a strategic initiative that aligns with PNG Vision 2050 , which emphasizes institutional development, capacity...

PNG’s higher education system stands at a critical juncture. While the country has made commendable efforts to expand university access, concerns about academic quality, governance, and infrastructure continue to undermine the potential of its universities to attract international students or effectively host regional programs such as the New Colombo Plan. Australia and China—two countries deeply invested in the Pacific—have the capacity and interest to assist PNG in addressing these gaps. Doing so would not only strengthen PNG’s development trajectory but also serve broader strategic, diplomatic, and economic interests. PNG, Australian, and Chinese students share a moment outside the University of Papua New Guinea, symbolizing regional academic cooperation and the growing potential of PNG as a hub for international education. The New Colombo Plan, spearheaded by the Australian Government, encourages undergraduate students from Australia to study and undertake internships in the Indo-P...

The presence of Chinese companies in global sporting competitions has grown rapidly in recent years. In the National Rugby League (NRL), Chinese automotive giants are now visible front-and-centre. The New Zealand Warriors are currently sponsored by Great Wall Motors (GWM), while the Sydney Roosters boast BYD – a global leader in electric vehicles – as a major backer. A few years ago, the Canberra Raiders had Huawei, a telecommunications giant, as its headline sponsor until political tensions over national security led to the deal’s early demise. These cases highlight both the appeal and complexity of Chinese sponsorship in the Australian sporting landscape. As PNG inches closer to entering the NRL in 2028, the question arises: if a large Chinese company wants to sponsor the team, would it be allowed by the NRL and the Australian government? While commercial sponsorship is usually a straightforward business decision, the geopolitics surrounding PNG’s entry makes it far from simple. The...

One issue that continues to stir debate in Pacific diplomacy is the tension between bilateral defence partnerships and the collective aspiration for a Pacific-led approach to security. As PNG deepens its defence ties with Australia via a defence treaty , it must carefully consider how this move may be interpreted by its Pacific neighbours who are increasingly vocal about regional autonomy and leadership. A Bird of Paradise dons an Australian military uniform—symbolising PNG's delicate balancing act between national identity and strategic defence partnerships. The Pacific Islands Forum and key declarations such as the Boe Declaration on Regional Security (2018) have made it clear: Pacific Island nations want a regional security framework shaped by their own voices, values, and vulnerabilities—not imposed or driven solely by external powers. The idea of a Pacific-led approach to security emphasises the protection of human rights, climate resilience, border integrity, and sustainable...

The Queensland Rugby League (QRL), through the Intrust Super Cup, has significant untapped potential in PNG—a country where rugby league is not just a pastime but a national identity. While the PNG Hunters serve as the country’s only representative team in the competition, the current structure severely limits fan engagement and commercial growth. A more inclusive and accessible broadcasting model, combined with strategic investment in regional infrastructure, could transform the Intrust Super Cup into a household name across PNG. Wynnum Manly Seagulls building bridges through rugby league — proudly donating their former playing jerseys to a local Port Moresby team during their recent visit to Papua New Guinea. A great gesture that deepens ties between QRL clubs and PNG’s passionate rugby league community. Currently, only PNG Hunters games are broadcast in PNG, and even that comes with restrictions. TV Wan, owned by Digicel Pacific, offers the games exclusively through its entertainmen...

The final seminar for the International and Regional Security unit at Divine Word University focused on the growing threat of transnational organized crime in PNG and the wider Pacific region. This type of crime—spanning human trafficking, drug smuggling, and illicit financial flows—continues to exploit institutional weaknesses across Pacific Island countries. The seminar brought together a range of student presentations that examined the drivers, dynamics, and policy responses to this issue, drawing from a chapter authored by Watson, Sousa-Santos, and Howes in the Development Bulletin published by the Australian National University Screenshot of the video on my YouTube Channel One of the key themes discussed was the vulnerability of Pacific Island countries to transnational organized crime. Geographic isolation, porous maritime borders, and limited enforcement capacity were identified as major structural challenges. These factors, coupled with gaps in legislation and weak interagen...