Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited is proud to announce a transformative partnership with the National Department of Education through the sponsorship of 30 Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) students in 2025.
This strategic initiative reinforces the government’s commitment to a knowledge-based economy and aims to nurture Papua New Guinea’s future engineers, scientists, and innovators through providing world-class education opportunities.
Kumul Petroleum Managing Director, Wapu Sonk said,“This is an example of how, as the national petroleum and energy company, KPHL is actively transferring the wealth generated from development of our natural resources to improving human capital and social development in our country.”
“Our five-year support for the STEM Scholarship Program reflects our long-term commitment to human capital development in support of the Marape-Rosso government policy. By investing in the next generation of scientists and engineers, we are investing in the future of our country.”
“We believe education is the bridge between potential and progress. This initiative empowers bright young Papua New Guineans to dream big, think globally, and bring meaningful change back home,” he said.
Mr. Sonk explained saying, “KPHL will fund the top one per cent of all the students under the STEM programme, commencing with the first 30 students this year.
“This support enables the top STEM graduates from the Schools of Excellence in the country to pursue undergraduate degrees overseas for up to four years, so that on graduation they can enter the resource industry. The National Department of Education will retain full authority over student selection, placements, and overall administration—ensuring transparency, fairness, and public confidence.”
National Department of Education Secretary, Dr. Uke Kombra said “This collaboration reflects our shared vision for an empowered and skilled future generation. Through KPHL’s strategic and generous support, we are creating a pathway for excellence and global competitiveness in education.”
The five-year partnership was announced during the Memorandum of Understanding signing by the National Department of Education Secretary, Uke Kombra, and Kumul Petroleum Managing Director, Wapu Sonk, in Port Moresby.
This public-private partnership stands as a model for building national capacity and opening global doors for Papua New Guinean youth – a programme to assist students who aspire to a career in science, technology, engineering or mathematics fields.
