PRESS RELEASE: Papua New Guinea Minister for Higher Education Leads High-Level Delegation to Leaders Institute

Brisbane, Australia – 29 August– Leaders Institute, trading as the Australian Agribusiness Institute (AAI), welcomed a distinguished delegation from Papua New Guinea (PNG) on a landmark visit that is set to deepen bilateral ties in higher education, research, and innovation.

The delegation was led by Hon. Kinoka Hotune Feo, MP, Minister for Higher Education, Research, Science & Technology, and Sports, and included senior officials from PNG’s Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (DHERST) as well as academic leadership from the University of Goroka (UOG).

This milestone visit marks a new era of collaboration between PNG and Australia, with Leaders Institute positioned as a central hub for fostering academic, research, and industry partnerships across the Pacific region.

High-Level Delegation from Papua New Guinea
The PNG Minister was accompanied by a senior delegation comprising:

Mr. Lonnie Baki, Acting Secretary, DHERST

Mr. Chapman Namaro, First Secretary

Mr. John Haro, Second Secretary

Dr. Teng Waninga, Vice Chancellor, University of Goroka

Together, the delegation brought a wealth of expertise and leadership, reinforcing PNG’s commitment to strengthening its higher education landscape and forging stronger academic partnerships with Australian institutions.

Leaders Institute Welcome and Academic Deliberations
The visiting delegation was formally received by Prof. Harvinder Singh, Vice President (Global), who extended the Institute’s warm hospitality and outlined its internationalisation strategy.

Academic deliberations were led by Prof. Denise Austin, Vice President (Academic), who presented the Institute’s research agenda and highlighted how Leaders Institute, through its flagship brand the Australian Agribusiness Institute, has pioneered niche higher-education programs in agribusiness, technology, and management. These programs are currently attracting students from over 27 nationalities, building a diverse global academic community.

The Institute’s research team and senior academics also contributed to the discussions:

Dr. Shabir Ahmed, Senior Researcher, emphasised the role of agribusiness research in advancing global food security.

Associate Professor Geof Sheldon provided insights into industry-integrated teaching and innovation in agribusiness education.

Associate Professor Anoma Ariyawardana spoke on the importance of sustainable agriculture and supply-chain management in shaping resilient economies.

Achievements of Leaders Institute
In his keynote address, President Professor Bernard Malik showcased the Institute’s achievements, which have positioned it as one of Australia’s most dynamic higher education providers:

Ranked #1 in Australia for student satisfaction for the past two years in the Australian Government’s official QILT surveys, outperforming larger public and private universities.

Holder of an impressive portfolio of international patents registered across multiple countries including Australia, the United States, Germany, India, the United Kingdom, and South Africa.

Delivery of specialised programs in agribusiness, agricultural information management, global business, cybersecurity, and information systems – uniquely designed for industry application and global leadership.

Professor Malik reaffirmed Leaders Institute’s mission to serve as a bridge between education, research, and industry, ensuring graduates are equipped not only with academic credentials but also with the practical skills and leadership capabilities needed in the 21st century.

Thought Leadership and Global Expertise
The roundtable dialogue included contributions from globally respected thought leaders who are affiliated with Leaders Institute and its academic boards:

Prof. Seyed Ali Mirjalali, ranked among the world’s leading Artificial Intelligence experts, addressed the role of AI in transforming education and research practices.

Dr. Dipu Sabestian, higher-education innovation specialist, highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration.

Prof. Kevin Tickles, President of the Global Leadership Institute, emphasised the need for leadership training to support the next generation of global change-makers.

Emeritus Prof. Jenny Stewart, Chair of the Academic Board, underscored the critical role of academic governance in maintaining quality and compliance in a rapidly evolving higher-education sector.

Exploring Research Partnerships and Student Engagement
During the discussions, both delegations explored a wide range of collaboration opportunities including:

Joint research initiatives in sustainable agriculture, agribusiness, and digital innovation.

Faculty exchange programs to build cross-cultural academic expertise and capacity.

Student engagement and mobility pathways to allow PNG students greater access to Australian higher education, while providing Australian students exposure to the Pacific region’s unique challenges and opportunities.

This aligns with Leaders Institute’s broader mission of contributing to Australia’s vision of becoming a Global Food Superpower, while also strengthening PNG’s higher education infrastructure to drive national development.

Quotes from Leaders and Delegates
“This visit marks an important step in strengthening educational and research ties between Australia and Papua New Guinea. Leaders Institute is proud to support regional capacity-building, agribusiness innovation, and global collaboration,” said Professor Bernard Malik, President of Leaders Institute.

“We see enormous potential for collaboration with Leaders Institute, not only in agribusiness and technology, but also in fostering student mobility and joint research that will uplift both our nations,” remarked Hon. Kinoka Hotune Feo, MP, PNG Minister for Higher Education.

“Our goal is to build capacity in PNG’s universities while learning from international best practice. Leaders Institute’s achievements in research and teaching excellence present us with strong partnership opportunities,” added Dr. Teng Waninga, Vice Chancellor, University of Goroka.

Leaders Institute – Driving Innovation in Agribusiness and Beyond
With its Australian Agribusiness Institute (AAI) brand, Leaders Institute has positioned itself as one of the world’s only private higher-education institutions offering specialised degrees in Agribusiness and Agricultural Information Management. These programs have been designed to tackle global challenges of food security, sustainability, and digital transformation in agriculture.

The Institute’s unique value proposition lies in its ability to combine academic excellence, practical industry application, and international partnerships, ensuring that graduates become not just participants but leaders in global agribusiness and industry innovation.

Through international collaborations, Leaders Institute is not only expanding its footprint across Australia and Asia-Pacific but also contributing to knowledge transfer, community development, and economic growth in emerging economies.

About Leaders Institute / Australian Agribusiness Institute (AAI)
Leaders Institute Pty Ltd (Provider ID: PRV14078 | CRICOS Code: 03925J) is a specialist higher-education provider headquartered in Brisbane, with additional campuses in Sydney. Its mission is to provide innovative, industry-relevant education across niche disciplines, with a strong focus on agribusiness, business leadership, and technology.

Through its global partnerships, research achievements, and student-first philosophy, Leaders Institute continues to be ranked among Australia’s best institutions for student satisfaction and educational outcomes.

🌐 Website: www.leaders.edu.au
📧 Email: [email protected]
📞 Phone: +61 450 01 02 03

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