PNG 8th Uni: PM Marape Pledges Support for Lutheran University - Press Release

Prime Minister Hon. James Marape, MP, has pledged Government support for the establishment of the long-overdue Lutheran University in Lae.

Here is the latest update on this story, click here to find out.

png university lutheran
Image: Facebook | PM & NEC page

Key points added for clarity
  • Lutheran Church in PNG, the second largest church behind Catholic Church, does not have a university yet.
  • PNG has 6 operating universities.
  • Two universities are run by the churches in PNG (Pacific Adventist University run by the Seventh Day Adventist Mission and Divine Word University run by the Catholic Mission)
  • UPNG, Unitech, UoG and UNRE are public universities.
  • Western Pacific University in the Southern Highlands Province. Its first intake was in 2020.
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Press release cont...

He announced this in front of thousands of Lutheran faithful at the 32nd Evangelical Lutheran Church of PNG Synod at Boana in Nawaeb, Morobe, today.

PM Marape urged the Synod to continue working on the concept of the Lutheran university.

"Please refurbish this concept of a Lutheran-based university," he said.
"We have talked about this previously, but it has slowed down.
"The Lutheran University must come to pass, as a memorial of this 32nd Synod.
"I want to throw it on the floor here, that someone in the crowd pick it up.
"Lutheran is the second-biggest church, so I ask you please, let's work on this.
"National Government will pick up the university that the church wants, and we'll get it going.
"Starting 2020, we'll work on it and Hopefully by 2025, when the nation celebrates 50 years of Independence, our Lutheran University can lift its flag up and fly, and take students in by that time.

Prime Minister Marape supported a call by Morobe Governor Hon. Ginson Saonu for the establishment of a Lutheran elementary teachers' college.

He said the Government had allocated K1 million for this. He also told the Lutheran Church to come up with a plan for a university to get Government assistance.
"We will start a 10-year programme that will create the genesis of a Christian-based education system being run in our country.
"To make this country truly identified with Christian principles, our education system must be run by Christian churches,” the Prime Minister said
He (the Prime Minister) called for closer partnership between churches and the Government in education and health.
"The Lutheran Church is the second-largest church in the country," Prime Minister Marape said.
"We (Government) are ready to work in partnership with you in the areas of health and education.
"You are already established in society; you are with the people."Our Government stands ready to embrace churches in the areas of health and education.
"These are two key services in the country that I want churches to play a bigger role in,” PM Marape said.

Source: Facebook, released Sunday 12th January 2020

We also provide some background information about the 6 PNG universities here. Find out about the selections lists for UPNG, UOG, UNRE, Unitech, DWU and PAU:

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