ELC-PNG Council Report

Whereas the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea at the Kainantu, Wau, Wasu and Ogelbeng Synods and the Gutnius Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea and the Morobe Provincial Government (the partners) have agreed to establish the Lutheran University of Papua New Guinea (LUPNG) and have duly appointed a Establishment Committee (the Committee) to undertake all work necessary to give effect to the partners resolve to so establish the Lutheran University, it is henceforth determined that;

1. The Committee so established under the resolutions of each of the partners shall undertake its assignment in the partnership spirit.

2. The Committee in order to give effect to the desire of the partners to establish the Lutheran University with enrollment intakes scheduled for 2010 (revised to 2013), the Committee acknowledges and fully endorses that vital tasks have been completed and shall embark on further work in the following areas.

2.1 The Lutheran University Act No. 12 of 2006 is to be reviewed on the basis of all previous resolutions passed by the partners and the Committee prior to its passage by Parliament as to whether or not that Act requires amendment and or repeal.

2.2 The Committee will ensure Morobe Provincial Government continues to provide financial support to assist establish the Lutheran University of Papua New Guinea in accordance with the Agreement (the Agreement) signed between the partners and the Committee and the Committee will continue to report to Morobe Provincial Government as occurred in the preceding period in accordance with the Agreement.

2.3 The Lutheran University will expand the educational charter of the Lutheran Churches in Papua New Guinea by extending educational opportunities to all citizens of Papua New Guinea through a university setting. The Lutheran University envisages to develop four academic schools or departments by 2010 (revised to 2013) viz Theology, Education (Primary, Elementary & Vocational) Nursing (Rural Health Services) and AgriBusiness.

2.4 The Lutheran University is planned to be an international premier university providing a tertiary education to students in Papua New Guinea and the region of South East Asia and the Pacific.

2.5 The Chairman of the Committee will continually communicate with the Committee Members and major stakeholders with information and progress about the establishment of the Lutheran University.

2.6 The Chairman of the Committee will continually keep the Bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea and Gutnius Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea and the Governor of Morobe Province appraised of the University’s development and continually seek their counsel.

2.9 The Committee will continue to work closely with the Office of Higher Education, Department of Education, Teaching Services Commission, National Planning and Development Department and other government agencies including donor agencies to seek their financial and other resources support as the Lutheran University is established.

2.10 The Committee will continue to secure the services of individuals to provide expertise-guiding development of the Lutheran University.

2.11 The Committee shall endorse development plans to address the many aspects of the University’s development and ensure those plans are to be continually reviewed.

2.12 The University will prepare a Master Plan for the overall physical development of the University.

2.13 The Committee will continually provide information to the establishing Churches, the Morobe Provincial Government and the National Government.

2.14 The Committee will develop staff training programmes for Balob Teachers College and Martin Lutheran Seminary and others to increase manpower capacity to meet the relevant academic programme demands.

2.15 The Lutheran University will provide educational opportunities for on line learning or by electronic means wherever possible.

2.16 The Lutheran University will ensure that all physical and academic plans and programmes are in place to take its first enrolments by 2010 (revised to 2013).

2.17 The Lutheran University will develop its own website.

2.18 The Lutheran University will prepare a newsletter quarterly and disseminate information on it concerning progress of development to the partners and stakeholders.

2.19 The Lutheran University will lodge application seeking approval of positions from the Department of Labour and Employment to enable adequate non citizen lecturers are available to teach and to enhance citizen academic manpower capacity building programmes.

2.      Amendments to The Lutheran University of Papua New Guinea Act

Any proposed amendments to the Lutheran University Of Papua New Guinea ACT need to be reviewed in order to deal with issues thoroughly. The Establishment Committee accommodated the ELC-PNG and Ogelbeng Synod’s Resolutions that followed a meeting between Sir Arnold Amet, Kte, Rimbink Pato, OBE, Mr. Don Sawong, Dr. Eric Kwa and Mr. Mawa Nawason (see Terms of Reference 2.1 which the Establishment Committee approved at its meeting held on February 2008). The specific amendments required of these provisions needing review have not been brought to the Committee’s attention and tabled. Further, the Synod resolution has not been table at the Committee Meeting as yet. The Establishment Committee sees the review of the Lutheran University Of Papua New Guinea Act as a priority task to be completed prior to the opening of the University in 2010. There is however nor rush for amendments because there is ample time and since there is so much other work to be completed before the Lutheran University of Papua New Guinea Act is brought into force for the University to open in 2010. For instance, repairs and maintenance to existing buildings, new infrastructure development, recruitment of staff, and funding for the operation of the Lutheran University Of Papua New Guinea etc.

3.    Ownership of the assets and land where Martin Luther Seminary and Balob Teachers College are situated.

The ownership of assets and particularly land where Martin Luther Seminary and Balob Teachers College is situated is to remain with ELC-PNG and is to be made unambiguous in the Lutheran University Of Papua New Act. Land issues that may cause or create a risk in land disputes have also been given considerable thought and clearly worked out on the location of the University. Currently, the University will use the existing grounds for Balob Teachers College and Martin Luther Seminary campuses including the vacant land across from MLS. The various details of possible land disputes have been considered and it has been with everyone’s support and interest that the University should be established without dispute concerning its location and with the clear understanding that the ownership of land remains fully with the ELC-PNG, the lawful owners.

So that there is no misunderstanding it was proposed by the Establishment Committee on August 11th 2007 that all parties involved with the establishment of the Lutheran University Of Papua need to sit together and prepare an unequivocal agreement between these three groups. (ELC-PNG, GLC-PNG and Morobe Provincial Government) on any issues related to the ownership of land and assets.

4.    Lutheran University Grants and appropriations for establishment and operational costs

In order to properly establish and support the interests and activities of the Lutheran University it is necessary to protect the integrity of its liquid assets, government grants, and donor agency funding. Such funds that are specifically allocated to the university must be spent strictly in accordance to donor wishes and more specifically strictly for the establishment or operations of the University.

On October 5th 2007, three million Kina was approved by the National Government Supplementary Budget and allocated to the establishment of the Lutheran University. The parliamentary appropriation was specifically for the Lutheran University Of Papua Project based upon the Lutheran University submissions to the national government. Stakeholders must be clear as to its appropriation. These funds were not intended for appropriation by the ELC-PNG as suggested in resolution 08.09 that incorrectly records that the monies were given to the church.

Submissions, budgets, and financial records as to how funding and grants are spent are up-to-date, in order and available at anytime at the Project Office for those who have inquiries.

5.    Provincial & National Government support is firmly in place.

The decision to establish a University at Lae under the management of the Lutheran Church will improve the educational infrastructure development and spiritual development of young people in the Morobe Province and all of Papua New Guinea. The Lutheran University Of Papua is being planned to be consistent with the Government’s Medium Term Development Strategy (MTDS 2005-2010) with the expressed intention of increasing access to tertiary education by Secondary School Leavers and others. It is consistent with the Government’s strategy to increase tertiary education capacity for the country. The target of this project is to supply for the increasing public demand for university education and to serve the church with its first and only university.

A program to provide University qualified teachers with an emphasis on Early Childhood Education is the cornerstone to an effective education policy and is essential to the progress of a developing nation such as Papua New Guinea.

The National Government is committed to the Lutheran Church’s project and clearly recognizes the importance of establishing a Lutheran University. This is evident, as the Lutheran University of Papua New Guinea has been officially accepted as part of the National Public Investment Program (NPIP). Being part of this program allows for recurrent and ongoing funding for the University. It is difficult to get into the National Public Investment Program because of the limited resources available to government; however, the Lutheran University has succeeded in obtaining acceptance into this program due to careful planning, preparation, and timely submission of relevant documentation required by government processes necessary to secure government support and funding. The Department sees this project as an approach to further develop the country.

The project promoters have been working tirelessly and closely with the Departments of National Planning and Monitoring, Treasury and Finance, the Department of Education, and the Office of Higher Education. Significant progress has been made. As a consequence of the detailed planning and technical input to these Departments by the Lutheran University Of Papua Project Team, Governor Wenge was advised that at the departmental levels it was conceded that the Lutheran University was a project that must be funded to a larger extend by the National Government for our people. Consequently, the Minister Honourable Paul Teinsten, MP wrote to the Governor and to the Chairman of the LUPNG Working Committee assuring that funding would be provided to the University by letter dated 18th July 2008 in that the University project had passed the relevant scrutiny processes. We are now looking to see significant funding in the 2009 National Budget. The Hon. Patrick Pruaitch, Treasurer has has also indicated that he will provide support in upcoming budgets.

The Office of Higher Education, Department of Education, and the Teaching Service Commission are keen to get the University off the ground. The National planning office has delivered a letter requesting funding priority to the Prime Minister’s Office. The Office of Higher Education and the National Planning Office send members to the Establishment Committee at an advisory level and to represent government interests.

The Chairman of the Provincial Executive Council (PEC) in the province supports the project.   Even though there are other needs never-the-less there remains the need to develop a Lutheran University for the Church and PNG providing more university-educated individuals for the country.

Hon. Governor Luther Wenge as always, solidly supports the establishment of a Lutheran University and on several occasions has met with Prime Minister, Grand Chief Sir Michael T. Somare to get his assurance that there will be funding for the Lutheran University in the next budget. The Prime Minister has given assurances to Governor Wenge that 33 million Kina will be allocated in the upcoming annual national budget for building the Lutheran University. This allocation is crucial for this University to become a reality and to better serve our churches, academic community, and the young people of our nation.

Of the 109 parliamentarians in the national government, thirty-seven are Lutheran. As a result, the Lutheran MPs have significant political influence and that will make a Lutheran university feasible. The support in Provincial and National Governments is such that now is the most opportune time to move forward with this university Project. We may not see such overwhelming support in the coming years.

6.    Grass roots support remains strong

Grass roots support in the general public and in the church remains strong. The general public is aware that the institutions of MLS and to some degree BTC are experiencing financial, staffing, and quality challenges. Its incorporation within a Lutheran university may seem to offer the best long-range solution.

Traditional landowners are concerned that large tracks of land that have been given to the church are not being used to their fullest potential and therefore support the development of the University. Some of these traditional land owners have even indicated that they would be willing to give more land to the Church should the University have a need for more land. They would rather the land be used for the work of a Lutheran University and Church than for commercial enterprises.

Lutheran parents are aware that other churches such as the Catholics and Seventh Day Adventists have their own universities. Also, some Lutheran parents are not happy with sending their sons and daughters to UPNG or other public institutions related to difficulties, quality issues, and unrest on these campuses. It is therefore understandable that PNG Lutherans would prefer to have a Lutheran University alternative. There are even reports that some parents are holding back on sending their sons or daughters to university until the Lutheran University is established and accepting students.


7.     On the funding side, things are looking good.

A successful submission had been submitted to the Department of National Planning, Department of Education and the Office of Higher Education (OHE). As a result, the Office of Higher Education has released three million Kina to the Lutheran University Of Papua from the 2007 supplementary budget that has been banked. These funds to the Lutheran University Of Papua will speed up the delivery of the University programmes as per the Committee approved spending plan and the Terms of Reference. Of these funds nearly eighty [80%] percent have been utilized for capacity building of lecturers at Balob Teachers College and Martin Luther Seminary and the balance has been spent on Master Planning [K250,000.00], internet facilities, and the project office running costs.

The project has been divided into different options for donor agencies to consider. National Planning will advise us to further potential donors as they are working closely with Donor agencies. Funding and technical expertise is being sourced from four main international areas in addition to the Church Partners.

1.    British support may be available through Booker Tate International. As well plans are being made for Booker Tate to help Agribusiness curriculum writers to meet international standards.

2.    European assistance may materialize through the German Embassy and the European Union.

3.    Australian assistance may be available through contacts Mr. Rimbink Pato has made with Queensland University.

4.    Chinese support is being sought through a submission to the Minister to the Chinese Government. A possibility for funding from the Chinese Government is now being considered. To this end, a relationship with the Ambassador from China in PNG is being developed to seek support for the Lutheran University of Papua New Guinea in the future. Between 1.5 and 2 million Kina may be available.

Deloittes is working on Establishing the Lutheran University Of Papua as a Charitable Trust - Funding from the National Government and then Donor Charitable trust.   Companies and individuals will be able to give more if they can get receipted with tax-deductible donations.

8.    Major concerns of Partner Churches have been dispelled.

The major goal for the recent trip to the Lutheran Education Association, St. Louis, and Germany was to market and promote the University and to create new and renewed friendships. The delegation sought technical assistance with our overseas church development partners. The primary focus will be to find lecturers and gain the mother church countries and the Partners Churches’ support and technical assistance. Additionally it was important to thank the Partner Churches for their contribution to Papua New Guinea over many years and convince these churches that PNG has matured and now has the capacity to build a good university.

Some clouds of concern that hung over the project by the Partner Churches in relation to the University Project have been cleared up. Partners (i.e. German Church) –now have a better understanding of the Lutheran University project. German Church partners are aware of the integrity of the project. Cautious support of the project is evident. It is the practice of Partner Churches to negotiate directly with the ELC-PNG rather than its institutions such as the Lutheran University of Papua New Guinea. The University Establishment Committee now respectfully requests that the ELC-PNG and the GLC-PNG represent the University’s needs to its partners. Partner Churches are solely committed to and bound by all decisions of the ELC-PNG and the respective partners of the GLC-PNG.

9.     Martin Luther Seminary, Pastoral training and Theological Education Remains Intact.

Concerns regarding MLS and its special status in the church are a core issue in the Lutheran University Of Papua development. The Australian Lutheran College, Mr. Greg Schiller, Dr. Greg Lockwood, and Dr. Malcolm Bautch will be working to preserve and improve the pastoral training program at MLS. They will be working together to help protect the training of pastors and have highlighted the importance of securing a certain amount of autonomy for Martin Lutheran Seminary. Their recommendations are being seriously considered. The University project will improve the facilities and raise the standards of pastoral training. There will be two strands for theological education. A Theology degree will be specially designed for Pastoral training with one year of vicarage and an additional year for Graduate Diploma. A Bachelor of Ministry degree will be designed for laypeople of the church.

10.     Curriculum Development is well on its way.

The University will offer programs that are internationally competitive and are not being taught in existing Universities in Papua New Guinea.

Mr. Greg Schiller presented a detailed curriculum outline for theological Education to the Late Bishop’s Office and to the establishment Committee. Dr. Greg Lockwood has reviewed the curriculum and made a few revisions. Overall he was very pleased with the curriculum outline. Australian Lutheran College will advise the committee as to the next steps need to further develop the curriculum. The outline has been posted on the Lutheran University website.

The Lutheran University is developing a four-year Primary Education Degree specializing in Early Childhood Education and English proficiency. Balob Teachers College has a curriculum writing office and team in place. A general outline of the curriculum has been presented to the Establishment Committee and posted on the Website.

The Lutheran University is developing an After Degree in Secondary Education (two-year program) with an emphasis on Literacy and the Fine Arts. This is being coordinated in conjunction with Balob Teachers College. A general outline of the curriculum has been presented to the Establishment Committee.

The Lutheran University is developing a four-year Agribusiness Degree. Agricultural and business courses are being considered to better assist graduates to serve the local needs of farmers in the village. Consideration in this program will be given to renewable resources including Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. Dr. Galgal and Associates have made considerable progress of the Agribusiness degree. The program is unique and developed it in such a way as to make an impact on agricultural output in Papua New Guinea.

The Lutheran University will be developing a four-year Nursing degree that will specialize in Rural Health Services that is desperately needed to support the churches medical out posts. Issues important to grassroots and rural health concerns such as HIV, tuberculosis and malaria will be centre to the curriculum.

11.     Master Planning for Repairs, Maintenance and New Infrastructure

The Establishment Committee has thoroughly reviewed and has given careful consideration to various master planning proposals. The Committee has awarded Infratech Management Consultants the contract to prepare a master plan for the Lutheran University. This is an extremely important undertaking, as the stakeholders desire the master plan to insure a unified, unique, quality, and a high-powered model-university for Papua New Guinea.

The master plan will determine how the University’s infrastructure will be organized, maintained, and phased in. It will give stakeholders an idea of how the University will look in 10, 20, 50, or even 100 years. Expert consultancy is seen as a priority. This planning and consultancy will cost money but if we have a quality plan in the beginning we will witness successes and fewer mistakes. No planning is a plan to fail.

Mr. Mark Flynn from IMC presented work to the establishment committee related to the progress of the master plan. Their final report will have three main outputs:

1.    A site analysis of exiting buildings
2.    Physical conditions survey such as rainfall, soil conditions, drainage, etc.
3.    Master plan with drawings that will guide development over the next 20 years.

Mr. Flynn indicated that the Master plan is nearing 80% completion. Upon it completion a detailed site plan will be presented that will show where buildings will be built and how existing buildings will be used until they are no longer fit for use.

He emphasized that new buildings would be designed to account for the tropical heat, high rainfall, high humidity and earth tremor conditions. He also emphasized the need to develop the University at one site rather than two separate sites. He stated that Martin Luther Seminary site had more land available for development.

Mr. Flynn indicated that the current buildings at Balob Teachers College and Martin Luther Seminary are not well designed for tropical conditions. Several buildings at Balob are at the end of their usable life. Some buildings at Martin Luther will come to the end of their usable life over the next ten to twenty years.

At least 16 million Kina has been requested for new dormitories, lecture theatres, a wellness centre, a library, and for repair and maintenance of existing facilities. We expect to receive these funds next year.

12.     Search for a Vice-Chancellor and Expatriate Lecturers

The position of the Lutheran University Of Papua Vice Chancellor has been advertised in the PNG Media from time to time. The committee will consider the possibly of an interim Vice Chancellor who has experience in developing a new University from the ground up and who would have significant fund raising experience.

A localization plan for the Lutheran University Of Papua has been approved by the Department of Labour and Employment. An application was lodged and approval was given from the Labour Department for 15 non-citizen positions. Lectures and professors will be sought from Australian, America, Canada, and Germany. An effort to streamline work permits and entry visas has now been engaged.

13.     Post Graduate Degree Programme to upgrade lecturers

A partnership programme to upgrade lecturers at Balob Teachers College has been approved and will be initiated in October. This program is expected to take a year and half to complete. This initiative will cost nearly a million Kina and is part of the spending plan related to the 2007 supplementary budget allocation. Government officials and academics are excited about this programme as it places a high priority on preparations related to Human Resource Development, Capacity Building, Christian Character Development and Leadership Training.

The Establishment Committee has thoroughly reviewed and has given careful consideration of proposals to provide an online Master of Education for twenty-three Lutheran Papua New Guinean academics. The Committee has awarded Charles Sturt University the contract to provide this service. This is an extremely important undertaking as there is a critical need to upgrade the existing faculty and provide well-qualified lectures with an emphasis on Early Childhood Education for the Lutheran University starting in 2010.

Additionally Australian Lutheran College in Adelaide is being considered to assist with Curriculum Development and Advanced degrees for Martin Luther Seminary.

14.     Communications and Website Development

Important developments and the progress of the Lutheran University from its beginning until now have been posted to the website www.lupng.org for public viewing and input. Everyone is welcome to go online and view the University’s developments as it progresses and give feedback as required. As well, a newsletter is periodically produced with up-to-date information.

15.     The Importance of increasing transparency and open dialogue

There is a need to continue talking, writing, and speaking to each other openly. Honest, sincere, and extensive communication of this project and great vision is important. Papua New Guinea has enormous needs for its people and the church as an opportunity to meet these needs. We should openly understand the directions and the methods that the Lutheran University of Papua New Guinea will take to fulfill the dreams of the Lutheran Church in serving its people. Information needs to be open, clear, and accurate so that the project can move forward without delay.

16.     Outcomes of the Lutheran University’s Success

There is much to gain and little down side as this University project unfolds and becomes a reality. It will take some years before we witness the successes of the plans we make now. However, together with our partners we look forward to the day were we will be able to walk through a new campus and sit in state-of-the-art and well equipped lecture halls with our children or grandchildren. We look forward to a unique campus for our children to be able to choose with a distinct Lutheran identity. We look to have our own university that will be embedded with Christian values to serve our country. We look forward to providing a quality facility for our young leaders, theologians, pastors and the academics of our nation who serve the next generations of our church and country.

More immediately, we look forward to the first graduates who will dispatch to the primary schools, elementary schools, secondary schools, Hospitals, aid-posts, and plantations to lift the bar of services to our nation.

Thank-you and God will bless you, the Church and all of its social ministries to the Glory of His Holy Name.