Papua New Guinea University of Natural Resources and Environment
| Type | Public University |
|---|---|
| Established | 1965 (as a college of the then Department of Agriculture, Stock and Fisheries) |
| Chancellor | Ms Margaret L. Elias |
| Vice-Chancellor | Professor John Warren |
| Location | Kokopo, East New Britain, Papua New Guinea |
| Affiliations | Association of Commonwealth Universities |
Papua New Guinea University of Natural Resources and Environment (formerly known as the University of Vudal) is a university located in East New Britain Province, Papua New Guinea.
The University aims to develop the sustainable utilisation of the natural resources of PNG by producing graduates with the skills and knowledge required to help lead the agricultural, fisheries, forestry and tourism industries.
Graduates of the University are self-motivated and have the ability to work independently, solving the problems that the government and industries of PNG have prioritized. They are trained to lead, and equipped with the research skills required to generate and analyse information to help the region sustainably use its natural resources. Their effective communication skills enable them to guide local communities to a better, more productive future and they use their entrepreneurial skills to help build the nations’ key industries.
Research at the University addresses some of the problems faced by the agricultural, fisheries, forestry and tourism industries of Papua New Guinea.
Brief History
The University established in 1965 as Vudal Agricultural College (VAC), a male only college of the then Department of Agriculture, Stock and Fisheries. The first female students were enrolled ten years later, in 1965.
The college offered a two-year certificate and three year diploma training in Tropical Agriculture and made significant contributions to agricultural education and rural development in Papua New Guinea and neighbouring South Pacific countries. 1n 1992, VAC was merged with Papua New Guinea University of Technology and renamed Vudal Agricultural College. Five years later, the college became University of Vudal, an autonomous higher education institution through an Act of Parliament that was passed in January 1997.
In 1999, under inaugural Vice Chancellor Professor Walter Wong, a four year Bachelor of Tropical Agriculture degree programme was introduced and the certificate program was phased out.
In 2005, the University Council, under the chancellorship of former Prime Minister and present Governor of New Ireland, Sir Julius Chan, unanimously directed that the University change its name and begin the process of internationalising from a one discipline University to a multi-disciplined one.
The name Papua New Guinea University of Natural Resources and Environment and logo was chosen from a public name and logo competition to promote a new training focus - training in the sound management and harvesting of natural renewable resources. While Council endorsed these changes then, the Name Change Bill was passed in Parliament four years later on May 13, 2009.
Following the resignation of Sir Julius as Chancellor in 2007, another former Prime Minister, Sir Rabbie Namaliu was endorsed by Council as the University's third Chancellor. Sir Rabbie, a distinguished statesman served as Chancellor until he resigned in January 2011. The University's current Chancellor Margaret L. Elias was appointed by Council at the 50th Council meeting on September 30, 2011. The University's inaugural Chancellor was the late Sir Alan Tololo.
Courses
- Diploma in Tropical Agriculture
- Bachelor of Tropical Agriculture
- Diploma in Fisheries Marine Resources
- Bachelor of Fisheries Marine Resources
- Graduate Certificate in Management
- Masters in Management