Invest in Academic Mentorship, Not Foreign Scholarships

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PNG’s higher education sector faces numerous challenges, with one of the most significant being the lack of academic mentorship and research culture within universities. Instead of offering scholarships to Solomon Islands students to study in PNG, the government should focus on building an academic mentorship framework that fosters research excellence and strengthens local expertise. Without proper guidance and mentorship, young academics in PNG struggle to develop their careers, limiting the country's intellectual and research capabilities.

When I began teaching international relations in 2012, there was no senior lecturer or professor in the field to guide me in my journey toward becoming an academic or research expert. I had to build myself up through perseverance, self-learning, and dedication to training future graduates. Over the years, I have worked hard to establish myself in the field and have mentored students who have gone on to contribute significantly to the government and national affairs. One such student is Jude Roa, who was recently appointed by the Foreign Affairs Minister to coordinate the royal visit for PNG’s 50th anniversary celebration. His success is a testament to the potential of our graduates when they receive the right academic foundation and support.

Screenshot from the Minister's Facebook page showing the working committee.

Despite my efforts, PNG universities still lack structured mentorship programs that can guide early-career academics and researchers. Many lecturers, like I once did, struggle to find mentors who can help them navigate their academic journey, develop research skills, and publish in reputable journals. The absence of a strong mentorship culture hinders the growth of PNG’s academic community and reduces the country’s ability to produce high-quality research that can inform policy and governance. Additionally, many senior academics with PhDs leave academia, creating a significant gap that needs urgent attention from university administrators and DHERST.

Instead of funding scholarships for foreign students, the government should redirect those resources toward establishing a national academic mentorship framework. This framework should include mentorship from senior academics, research workshops, collaborative projects, and funding support for young academics pursuing PhDs. By investing in mentorship programs, PNG can develop a new generation of academic leaders who will strengthen the country’s higher education sector and contribute to national development.

A structured academic mentorship program would also enhance PNG’s research culture, encouraging more publications in both national and international journals. The country’s universities currently suffer from low research output due to the lack of mentorship and funding. Investing in mentorship will provide lecturers with the skills and knowledge necessary to conduct groundbreaking research, attract external funding, and contribute to the global academic community.

Moreover, mentorship programs will ensure that PNG universities produce well-rounded graduates who are not only academically competent but also prepared to take on leadership roles in government and other sectors. Strong mentorship relationships will bridge the gap between academia and policymaking, enabling graduates to apply their knowledge in practical ways that benefit the nation.

The decision to fund foreign scholarships while PNG’s higher education system remains underdeveloped is short-sighted. The priority should be to build a solid foundation for academic excellence within PNG before extending support to international students. If the government is serious about improving higher education, it must invest in a long-term strategy that includes mentorship, research funding, and academic staff development.

In conclusion, PNG needs to invest in building its academic and research culture before considering scholarships for foreign students. The absence of academic mentorship has made it difficult for young lecturers and researchers to progress, limiting the country’s ability to produce high-quality research and graduates. Redirecting resources toward establishing a structured mentorship program will ensure that PNG’s universities produce the next generation of experts who can drive national development. Let us focus on strengthening our institutions first before offering scholarships abroad.

Comments

  1. PiksonMarch 21, 2025 at 1:17 PM

    Thank you Bernard for the reflection on your personal/professional experience in Academia (one that I can relate to) and highlighting the challenges we faced as junior academics working hard to establish ourselves in the field. More importantly drawing from that experience and highlighting the gap that the recent government has obviously failed to address and have rather focused their attention to supporting foreign students. Building our in-country expertise and academic proficiency and capacity through a well-structured, and well-supported early career research/academic mentorship program could have been the focus.

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    Replies
    1. Bernard Singu YegioraMarch 24, 2025 at 2:42 PM

      Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment and for resonating with the experiences I shared. It's reassuring—and equally sobering—to know that many of us who entered academia as junior lecturers have walked a similar path, often without the necessary institutional support to grow as researchers and educators.

      The lack of structured mentorship and clear academic development pathways is a systemic issue that has long been neglected. You're absolutely right: the government’s focus should be on strengthening our academic institutions from within, not diverting limited resources to external commitments while our own academic workforce remains underdeveloped.

      A national mentorship framework, backed by policy and funding, could be a game-changer—not just for individual academics but for the research culture of our universities and the quality of graduates we produce. I hope this conversation continues to grow and reaches those in decision-making positions who can begin to shift priorities toward long-term academic capacity building. Let's keep pushing this dialogue forward.

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