The University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) has launched a major review of all its academic programmes to integrate technology, artificial intelligence (AI) and workplace skills into every course as part of efforts to prepare graduates for the future workforce.
The reform was announced last week by Vice-Chancellor Professor Ian Findlay during the launch of UPNG’s new Centre of Excellence in Information Technology, which will immediately offer three certificate programmes and introduce four specialized Bachelor of Information Technology degrees from 2027.
Professor Findlay said technology and AI were transforming every aspect of life and Papua New Guinea needed graduates equipped with the skills to compete in the digital economy.
“We can’t live without technology, without IT, without a digital life,” he said.
“UPNG recognizes that PNG has a major deficiency in IT, and we will create the IT professionals. We want to change that, and we are changing that in many ways.”
The Centre of Excellence will offer certificate and diploma-level training, while the four new degree programmes to be introduced next year include Information Technology in Programming, Networking, Artificial Intelligence and Cyber Security.
Professor Findlay said AI would play a central role in the university’s future curriculum.
“We have to make sure that we are the master and AI is our tool,” he said.
As part of the wider academic overhaul, every UPNG programme will be reviewed to include four key areas: digital technology, artificial intelligence, research and critical thinking, and workplace soft skills.
Professor Findlay said graduates needed more than academic knowledge to succeed.
“Your degree will get you the job, but your soft skills will get you the promotion,” he said.
He said the university’s vision was to produce graduates who were highly employable and capable of securing the best career opportunities.
“Our mission for UPNG is best jobs, highest salaries. The best education provides the best students. The best students provide the best graduates. And the best graduates make the best employees,” he said.
UPNG will also introduce a pathway programme in 2027 to strengthen students’ mathematics and science skills before they begin university studies.
In addition, the university will launch a Postgraduate Diploma in Education as part of its broader education reforms.
Professor Findlay warned that Papua New Guinea risked falling behind if it failed to embrace technological change.
“The world is moving very, very quickly. We have to understand technology, we have to understand IT, we have to understand AI. If we do not embrace technology, we will be left behind,” he said.