Building Knowledge Together: Calling PNG Students and Alumni of Chinese Universities
As part of my PhD research at Divine Word University, I am conducting an important study on how China’s Higher Education Exchange Programs are shaping the future of PNG’s relations with China. These programs include Chinese Government Scholarships, Chinese language programs, public sector training courses, as well as students who pursued studies in China through private sponsorships, district-level scholarships, and PNG Government initiatives such as the STEM program. Capturing the voices of all who experienced study and training in China is central to understanding the broader impact on our society and diplomacy.
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Screenshot of the survey introduction on Microsoft Forms. |
Over the past few weeks, I have been actively reaching out on LinkedIn to connect with PNG students and alumni who have participated in these opportunities. Whether you were sponsored by the Chinese Government, a PNG district, a private arrangement, or a government development program, your story matters. By building a network of participants, I aim to gather a range of experiences that reflect the full diversity of educational pathways connecting PNG and China. You can connect with me directly on LinkedIn via this link: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bernard-yegiora-32344030/
The online survey is a key part of this research. It seeks to explore your motivations, your study or training experiences, and your reflections after returning from China. Through your participation, we can move beyond headlines and stereotypes to better understand the real human dimensions of educational exchange: personal growth, professional development, cultural exchange, and even shifting worldviews. Your insights will contribute to a richer academic and policy conversation about PNG’s future foreign relations.
Completing the survey is simple, confidential, and respectful of your time. It takes about 10–15 minutes and is fully anonymous unless you choose to provide contact information for future interviews. This project has received formal ethical clearance, and all research protocols are in place to ensure your privacy and dignity are respected. Every participant strengthens the credibility, depth, and authenticity of this important national research.
The significance of your contribution cannot be overstated. Far too often, discussions about China’s role in PNG are framed by outsiders. Through this survey, you can help ensure that Papua New Guinean experiences — the real experiences of our people — are at the center of the story. Whether you studied engineering, medicine, Chinese language, public health, or any other field, your perspective will help map how education exchanges are influencing national development and foreign policy decisions.
If you are a current student, recent graduate, or alumni of a Chinese university or training program, I warmly invite you to connect with me on LinkedIn. Once we connect, I will personally share the survey link with you. Even if you have already completed the survey, I encourage you to stay connected for future research updates and conversations. Together, we can build a scholarly network of voices that will make a real contribution to PNG’s future.
I also encourage you to share this opportunity with others in your network. If you know someone who studied or trained in China — whether through scholarships, private sponsorship, or district programs — invite them to connect and participate as well. Expanding the pool of voices makes the findings more inclusive, more credible, and more powerful for policymakers, educators, and future students alike.
I look forward to connecting with you, learning from your experiences, and building knowledge together. Through this collaborative effort, we can ensure that our collective story is captured, celebrated, and used to inform the decisions that shape Papua New Guinea’s future in an increasingly interconnected world.
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