Two students sponsored by landowner subsidiary companies under Mineral Resources Development Company (MRDC) have received top academic honours at the University of Goroka’s (UOG) 29th Graduation Ceremony, held last week.
Kuwimb Hugum, sponsored by Petroleum Resources Moran under Petroleum Development License (PDL) 5, was awarded the Outstanding Academic Performance Award, and Tonnica Nandie, sponsored by Gas Resources Hides 4, received the TVET Outstanding Academic Performance Award.
The award recipients were among 33 sponsored students who graduated during the ceremony. These graduates, from mining, oil and gas project impacted areas across Papua New Guinea, completed Diploma and Bachelor’s degrees across various academic disciplines as part of the University’s graduating cohort of more than 1,000 students.
All graduates were supported through Education Subsidy Program managed by MRDC, which is administered on behalf of its landowner subsidiary companies to assist eligible students from resource project impacted communities.
Representatives from MRDC’s External Affairs Unit attended the ceremony to witness the milestone achievement, with Petroleum Resources Gobe (PRG) Chairman Mr Mathew Sisimolu.
MRDC Managing Director Mr Augustine Mano congratulated the graduates, reaffirming the company’s ongoing commitment to education as a driver of national development.
“Education is a key driver of development, and through the Education Subsidy Program, MRDC and its subsidiaries have supported many students since 2022 to pursue and achieve their academic goals,” Mr Mano said.
“MRDC and its landowner subsidiaries remain committed to supporting students from resource project impacted communities. Investment in education continues to be a priority. With the qualifications they have obtained, these graduates are now well positioned to contribute meaningfully to their communities and to the development of the country.”
During the graduation event, the MRDC Scholarship Team also met with continuing students under the subsidy program, as well as new applicants, to provide awareness and clarification on program requirements.
Between 2022 and 2025, the subsidiaries through the Education Tuition Fee Subsidy has supported 10,110 students across the country.
