PNG UNRE News

A journey of love, memory, and final return — told by the daughter of a man who devoted his life to Papua New Guinea’s forests. By REBECCA HOWCROFT, daughter of the late Neville Howcroft. UNRE rep Sylvester Kulang (second right), with Rebbeca Howcroft and her brother Mike at the burial site in Bulolo. T he old DC-3, a relic of an era Dad had helped build, was gone, replaced by the modern drone of a twin-prop plane rattling toward Bulolo. But as the mountains of Morobe Province sharpened through the haze, the air felt thick with his memory. Inside my suitcase, nestled in heavy silence, were his ashes—the final, physical remnants of a man whose heart never truly left the humid valleys of Papua New Guinea. He passed away in a Brisbane hospital on November 2, 2024, but in the final months of his life, his wish was clear: he belonged back in Bulolo. Dad’s story was inextricably linked to Bulolo. It wasn't just a town of gold dust and timber; it was where his purpose began. He started hi...

Workshop participants with Fullbright Scholar Dr Aishat Balugun and Vice Chancellor Professor Aisak Pue. PNG University of Natural Resources and Environment is committed to improving its academic programs for effective delivery to students. Last month about 60 academic staff attended a four-day workshop from November 18-21 on Curriculum Design, co-sponsored by USAID in PNG. The workshop was facilitated by Fullbright Scholar Dr Aishat Balugun, a distinguished academic from Indiana University with extensive expertise in curriculum design, instructional development, and higher education quality assurance. Dr Balogun’s experience in curriculum innovation, assessment strategies, and faculty training guided PNG UNRE academic staff in aligning their curriculum practices with both institutional goals and national standards. The workshop was specifically designed for personnel involved in teaching and learning and forms part of the Vice Chancellor’s broader endeavour to promote a cultur...

Shirleyna Aipa from PNG University of Natural Resources and Environment was the only participant from Papua New Guinea at last month's Global Sustainable Islands Summit in Canada. Miss Aipa, is a tutor with the University’s Agriculture Department. She holds a Bachelor in Tropical Agriculture from PNG UNRE and is currently pursuing a Master of Philosophy in Agriculture at the PNG University of Technology in Lae.  The summit she attended was held from May 21 to May 23 on Prince Edward Island in Canada.  Miss Aipa applied for the six-week online training on Best-Practice Skills for Sustainable Development in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) before being successful as one of 10 students selected worldwide to participate in the Summit. She said the summit was attended by professionals from across the globe, many of whom were unfamiliar with PNG. She felt privileged to share information about PNG, PNG UNRE, and PNG University of Technology. The summit served as a platform for k...

THE leadership role he performed while studying at PNG UNRE has unlocked his potential to lead and drive the research team to all NBPOL sites. Mr Paulus Kikitam, a graduate of PNG UNRE, now a Research Supervisor (Precision Agriculture) under New Britain Palm Oil Limited’s Technical Services Division at Dami Research Station, West New Britain Province.  His main duties are to supervise and undertake duties associated with one or more oil palm agronomy research in all NBPOL sites in PNG and Solomon Islands.  Mr Kikitam graduated with a Bachelor in Tropical Agriculture. As SRC President in 2020 he was able to lead the students well despite the challenges he faced as a leader.  He said the leadership responsibility prepared him for life after UNRE.  “Playing an important role as SRC president in 2020 improved my decision-making and time management skills. The leadership role unlocked my potential to lead and drive the research team to all NBPOL sites,” said Mr Kikitam....

NARI Kerevat Research Leader Godfrey Hannet launches the new Goat training manual as Acting PVC Academic & Research Peter Navus (right) looks on.  PNG University of Natural Resources and Environment through its farmer training centre has launched the Cocoa and Goat Integration Training Manual and opened a Goat Breeding Centre. The event, which was held last month was attended by university staff; representatives from NARI, NAQIA and PNG Cocoa Board; James Butubu Area Manager ACIAR Bougainville; and acting Pro Vice Chancellor Academic and Research Mr Peter Navus. Speaking on behalf of the University, Mr Navus thanked the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) for having confidence in UNRE as one of its partners, the University Farmer Training Centre, Kairak Centre for Sustainable Rural Development (KCfSRD) for the implementation of the project objectives and the other collaborating partners. Mr Navus is confident that the Centre has achieved its object...

PNG UNRE has contributed to the formulation of a National Policy on Blue Carbon in PNG. UNRE Vice-Chancellor Professor Aisak Pue and two academics - Daniel Waldi from the School of Natural Resources (Forestry Department) and Jason Paliau from the School of Environment & Climate Change represented the University at the recent National Stakeholders Blue Carbon Workshop at the Hilton Hotel in Port Moresby. The objectives of the Blue Carbon Workshop were to:  ● assess Papua New Guinea’s current status on Blue Carbon Activities  ● inform decision makers on the challenges and the opportunities of addressing blue carbon activities in PNG  ● strengthen coordination roles amongst stakeholders and  ● reaffirm key action priorities and guidance from stakeholders for Government consideration.  Mr Waldi explained that Blue Carbon refers to the role of coastal ecosystems particularly mangrove forests, seagrass meadows, and tidal salt marshes and estuaries...