Port Moresby, 15 January 2026 — A new chapter in Papua New Guinea’s higher education sector has begun with the arrival of a senior academic delegation from Philippine Christian University (PCU) to support the launch of university-level programmes at Waigani Christian College in Port Moresby.
The delegation was warmly welcomed to the Waigani Christian College campus by Director Hon. Benjamin Mul and staff today.
Delegation members are:
- Margie D.G. Dela Cruz – Vice President (Academics and Globalisation)
- Dr Roland Austria – Dean, Overall Director (IT and Computer Engineering)
- Dr Arcadio Jeffrey S. Perida – Director, Extension Programme
- Dr Febwin Villaceren – Dean, Business, Accountancy and Administration
- Dr Cristina Caluza – Dean, Hospitality Management and Tourism Management
- Dr Danny Umoso – Director, Quality Assurance
- Dr Grace Musa – Assistant Registrar
- Mr Jandy Esurena – Treasury
- Mr Nerickson Sanlilla – Accounting
- Rev. Dr Ricardo Bernardino – Chaplain, Church Management Programme
- Dr Eileen Enrique – Dean of Colleges, Dasmariñas, Education Programme
- Dr Michelle Ramos – Technical Officer, Information Technology
- Dr Jay Sario-Long – Programme Head, Business Administration, Real Estate Management, Social Work (and related programmes)
PCU Waigani Campus Vice-President Dr Jowell Bitas said this marks the first phase of a multi-year academic partnership that will see Phillipines’ lecturers, administrators and academic systems embedded at Waigani Christian College to help build PNG’s newest private university pathway .
Dr Bitas confirmed that the 13-member delegation currently in Port Moresby is the first group, with additional academics expected to arrive by February or March, depending on visa processing.
“This is the first batch of delegation. They will stay here for six years, and then by February or March a new delegation will also be added… maybe 10 or 20 more professionals,” Dr Bitas said .
He said the long-term academic programme will run for at least three years, allowing PCU to fully establish systems, teaching standards and academic governance at Waigani.
First Intake Open to PNG School Leavers and Non-School Leavers
Dr Bitas said preparations for the first intake are well underway, with clear eligibility requirements now in place for prospective students.
Students must first be pre-selected and meet a minimum GPA of 2.5, although applicants with GPAs between 2.0 and 2.4 may still be considered if they submit their full academic transcripts for review.
“Most of our students will be self-funding. For those who are not pre-selected, they can visit our office and apply,” Dr Bitas explained .
He encouraged all Papua New Guineans — both school leavers and mature-age students — to visit the campus directly for assessment and guidance.
“We are always open… Please come to our school and assess your eligibility… we look forward to meeting you face to face,” he said .
A Dream 30 Years in the Making
Waigani Christian College Director Benjamin Mul described the arrival of the Philippine Christian University delegation as a deeply emotional moment, marking the fulfilment of a vision he began more than three decades ago.
“I started this school in 1993 with 30 students, and I didn’t know that one day it would become a university,” Mr Mul said. “Now these lecturers and professors from Philippine Christian University are coming here to help me set it up a university. It’s an honour for me.”
He said PNG’s tertiary education system is under severe pressure, with thousands of students unable to secure places at existing universities despite meeting entry requirements.
“Our country needs universities and church-run institutions because many of our students graduate, but the existing universities are overcrowded. We don’t have enough spaces for them,” he said .
Nine Degree Programmes to Start in 2026
Mr Mul confirmed that nine bachelor-degree programmes will be launched this year under the PCU-Waigani partnership, with more to be added in 2027.
“This year they will introduce nine bachelor programmes, and I think next year they will introduce more courses again,” he said .
He also revealed that 13 expatriate lecturers and administrators are already on the ground, with more expected to arrive.
“Now we have 13 of them, and I hear that more are coming,” he said .
Government Approval Secured
Mr Mul thanked the Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (DHERST) for guiding the institution through the accreditation and compliance process.
“They advised us to follow the process and we followed the process… We have met all the requirements and we were given the approval,” he said .
Major Campus Expansion Underway
Significant infrastructure upgrades are also underway at Waigani Christian College to accommodate the university transition.
Mr Mul said classrooms are being renovated and expanded, while PCU is supplying teaching resources including chairs, tables, computers and learning equipment.
“When students come, they will go straight into classrooms,” he said .
Looking further ahead, the college has begun cutting into the mountain behind the campus to construct a seven-storey academic complex that will house all faculties.
“We are cutting the mountain… We are thinking of building seven stories and then we will accumulate all the faculties inside,” he said .
Responding to PNG’s Education Crisis
Mr Mul warned that Papua New Guinea is facing a looming education crisis, with tens of thousands of students leaving school every year without access to tertiary education.
“We are producing 36,000 students, but we only have spaces for 15,000. The other 21,000 are on the street,” he said .
With the full implementation of the government’s “no child left behind” policy, he said the pressure on universities will only increase.
“By 2036… thousands of students will be coming out. We will have a problem,” he warned .
He said private-sector initiatives like the PCU–Waigani partnership are essential to prevent a generation of young Papua New Guineans from being locked out of higher education.
“When we see opportunities like this, we have to grab them and do something for the country,” Mr Mul said .
Classes to Begin in February
With academic staff now arriving, classrooms being completed and administration systems in place, Waigani Christian College expects its first university-level intake to begin in February.
“Everything is underway. We are so excited to start our programme next month,” Mr Mul said .
The partnership is expected to evolve into a fully-fledged private university within three to four years, providing thousands of new university places for Papua New Guinea’s fast-growing youth population.
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