Research Update: Progress on China–Papua New Guinea Higher Education Exchange Programs Study

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First, let me thank all of you who took the time to participate in my survey and share your experiences with China’s Higher Education Exchange Programs (HEEPs). Your contributions have been invaluable in helping me gather first-hand insights into how these programs operate and what they mean for Papua New Guinea’s future engagement with China. I promised to keep you informed along the way, and this blog serves as an update on where the project now stands.

So far, I have received 230 survey responses, covering a broad range of program types, from Chinese Government Scholarships and Chinese Language Programs to Public Sector Training Programs and self-sponsored participants. This strong turnout is already providing a rich dataset to analyze. The diversity of responses shows that PNG’s engagement with China through education extends well beyond scholarships and reaches into civil service training, language learning, and even technical skills development.

To better understand patterns across the data, I have grouped respondents into five main categories: Chinese Government Scholarship Program Awardees; PNG Government STEM Scholarship Awardees; Chinese Language Program Students; Public Sector Training Program Trainees; and Self-Sponsored Individuals. This framework will allow me to compare outcomes across different program pathways more systematically.

In addition to the survey, I am now moving into the follow-up stage. This includes targeted interviews and qualitative questionnaires. I have already developed a set of follow-up questions for alumni and current students in China, focusing on how their experiences have shaped not only their own careers but also broader public perceptions of China in PNG. This second phase will help add depth and context to the quantitative findings.

One clear lesson so far is that personalized outreach has been crucial in connecting with dispersed groups. For example, using LinkedIn and WeChat has allowed me to reach alumni and students who may not have been accessible through traditional channels. Alumni, in particular, have shown strong willingness to contribute, which highlights their potential as a network for future academic and policy collaboration.

This graph shows the relationship between survey completion and participant status, based on the LinkedIn database created from open-source information (N = 329). Graph created by Bernard Singu Yegiora.

At present, I am coding the data into SPSS to run descriptive and inferential statistical tests. This will help identify significant trends and differences across program types. Early indications show strong agreement that HEEPs foster cross-cultural understanding and contribute to professional development. At the same time, some participants have flagged challenges around financial support, transparency, and long-term recognition of qualifications. These are important points that I will explore further in my analysis.

Ultimately, the findings will feed into my PhD project titled The Influence of China’s Higher Education Exchange Programs on Sino–Papua New Guinea Relations: A Soft Power Analysis. The purpose is not only academic but also practical: to help policymakers, institutions, and stakeholders in PNG understand the opportunities and risks of engaging with China through education. Your voices are central to this work.

This project would not be possible without your time, honesty, and willingness to share your experiences. I remain deeply grateful for your contributions. As the study progresses, I will continue to provide updates and ensure that the outcomes are shared in ways that can inform both public debate and policy review in PNG. Thank you again for walking this journey with me.

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