Scholarship program celebrates Australia-PNG relationship

Twelve ANU students have been given the honorary title of Australia Awards Somare-Whitlam scholars in celebration of Papua New Guinea’s 50th anniversary of independence.

The title pays tribute to former prime ministers Sir Michael Somare and Gough Whitlam, who laid the foundation for the contemporary Papua New Guinea-Australia relationship.

The 12 scholars studying at ANU are part of a cohort of 90 placed at universities across the country as part of the Australia Awards scholarship program, an initiative run by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

The 2025 scholarship recipients were celebrated at an event hosted at ANU and attended by PNG Prime Minister James Marape and Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong.

Kyrill Bland, who completed his undergraduate studies with the support of the Australia Awards in 2014, is returning to ANU to undertake a Master’s degree.

“It was a very humbling experience for me – to know that our cohort were named after the two prime ministers who paved the way for the independence of our countries,” he said.

Sibona Duana, another scholar, said she was grateful to be an awardee.

“It’s really timely that we’re celebrating the 50th anniversary. It’s a milestone for me personally, as well as for my family and for my country. I’m very happy to be here,”

Ian Kemish AM, a Distinguished Advisor at the ANU National Security College, grew up in Papua New Guinea and served as Australia’s High Commissioner to PNG between 2010-2013.

He spoke highly of the impact of the Australia Awards, noting that “an investment in education is an investment in Papua New Guinea.”

“I’ve seen young Papua New Guineans supported in this way return and make major contributions back in their own country,” Kemish said.

“They tend to go back and get involved in law, get involved in civil society, get involved in the economy and business, and it’s a tremendous thing to see.”

ANU Vice-Chancellor and President Genevieve Bell commended the scholars for their part in creating Papua New Guinea’s future.

 “I think about what it means to be a child of this country, of those shade trees, and of this place, and about what a delightful thing it means to be here to celebrate a collection of scholars who, I imagine, will go on to make their own shade trees that I hope 50 years from now we’ll sit underneath,” she said.

Professor Bell also invited Mr Marape to sign the University’s red visitors book for a second time following his visit to ANU in early 2024.

The book – which includes signatures from national and international leaders and senior academics – was lost in storage for some time before being rediscovered last year – whereupon Mr Marape became the first person to add a signature in 40 years.

“I’m hoping I will prevail on you before the night is over to sign it again on the basis that the only person I can find to have signed it twice was Gough Whitlam and I feel like that’s an appropriate sign,” Professor Bell said.

Applications for the 2026 Australia Awards intake are now open. To learn more visit: https://www.dfat.gov.au/people-to-people/australia-awards/australia-awards-scholarships