Integrating Practical Experience in the Bachelor of Arts Program

In today’s competitive job market, practical experience is just as important as academic knowledge. Recognizing this need, the Bachelor of Arts (PNG and International Studies) program integrates a robust work placement component, ensuring students graduate with the skills and experience to excel in their chosen careers.

The 2021 Tracer Study Report underscored the importance of practical experience for students. Alumni and stakeholders alike voiced their recommendations for integrating hands-on learning opportunities into the curriculum, highlighting its role in fostering partnerships and building professional networks. In response, the program has revitalized its placement component, a critical step in aligning academic learning with the demands of the workforce.

Starting in their second year, students are required to complete a 20-day work placement during the six-week holiday period. This component is more than just a graduation requirement—it is a stepping stone to professional readiness. Students are tasked with identifying their own placement opportunities, encouraging them to take ownership of their professional development. This process not only builds their initiative but also introduces them to the realities of job searching.

Each student must secure a workplace supervisor who will guide them through their placement. Supervisors are responsible for assisting students in maintaining a logbook, which records daily activities, learning outcomes, and reflections. The work placement logbook is a central element of the program, serving as both a record of experience and a tool for reflection. It includes student and placement details, a detailed account of daily activities, outcomes, and personal learning experiences, and the supervisor’s overall comments on the student’s performance and growth. The logbook is reviewed by department staff at the beginning of the third year, ensuring that students have met the program’s practical requirements.

Practical experience allows students to apply their academic knowledge in real-world settings. It fosters critical skills such as communication, problem-solving, and adaptability while exposing them to the professional environments they will encounter after graduation. For the Bachelor of Arts (PNG and International Studies) program, this is particularly vital. With its focus on PNG’s cultural, political, and developmental dynamics, the placement program provides students with firsthand insights into the challenges and opportunities shaping the nation.

The program benefits from the DWU-PNG Customs Services (PNGCS) Memorandum of Agreement (MoA), which includes an internship program for students in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. This formalized partnership provides opportunities not only for the Department of PNG and International Studies but for other disciplines within the faculty. Each year, two students (one male and one female) from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences are selected to undertake placements, showcasing the collaborative effort to provide diverse learning experiences across departments.

However, a major challenge we need to address is expanding these formal partnerships to other key private and public sector agencies. While the existing MoA with PNGCS has been a significant step forward, our vision for 2025 and beyond includes formal arrangements with institutions like the Department of Foreign Affairs, Electoral Commission, National Museum, National Cultural Commission, Department of Community Development, Department of Prime Minister and NEC, and PNG Immigration and Citizenship Services. These agencies align with the program’s multidisciplinary approach and offer invaluable opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience in fields ranging from governance and diplomacy to cultural preservation and community development.

Formal partnerships not only benefit students but also offer value to stakeholders. By hosting interns, organizations gain access to fresh perspectives, innovative ideas, and a potential pipeline of future employees. For students, these partnerships provide the opportunity to apply their academic knowledge, develop professional skills, and gain insight into the practical workings of their chosen fields.

Moving forward, we must prioritize outreach to potential partners, clearly communicate the mutual benefits of collaboration, and formalize these arrangements to create a sustainable framework for student placements. With a concerted effort, we can ensure that every student in the program has the opportunity to engage in meaningful, hands-on learning experiences that prepare them to contribute to PNG’s development.

Students embarking on their placement journey are encouraged to maintain a daily record, engage actively in the workplace, seek feedback, and ensure their logbook is detailed and accurate. The placement program is more than an academic requirement—it is an investment in the future of PNG. By equipping students with practical skills and workplace experience, the Bachelor of Arts (PNG and International Studies) program is helping shape the next generation of leaders, ready to tackle the nation’s challenges with confidence and creativity.

For students, the placement program is an opportunity to grow, build professional networks, and make a meaningful impact. For stakeholders, it is a testament to the program’s commitment to producing graduates who are prepared to lead PNG into a brighter future.