Graduates Who Built a Nation
Since 1970, UPNG graduates have led governments, courts and hospitals across Papua New Guinea and the Pacific.
The University opened in 1966, nine years before independence, to educate the people who would run the country. Sixty years on, a UPNG degree still turns up behind the bench of the National Court, in the wards of Port Moresby General and in the Bank of Papua New Guinea. Each of our schools keeps its own record of the graduates who went furthest.
In this feature
Hon. James Marape
Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea (since 2019) — Class of 1993
Sir Mekere Morauta
Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea (1999–2002) — Class of 1970
Sir Rabbie Namaliu
Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea (1988–1992) — Class of 1970
Sir Vincent Eri
5th Governor-General of Papua New Guinea; author of The Crocodile — Class of 1970
Prof. John Waiko
Papua New Guinea's first professor; historian and playwright — Class of 1972
Nora Vagi Brash
Playwright and poet — Which Way, Big Man? — Class of 1982
Sir Arnold Amet
Chief Justice of Papua New Guinea (1993–2003) — Class of 1975
Dame Meg Taylor
Papua New Guinea's first woman lawyer; Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum (2014–2021)
Jeremiah Manele
Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands (2024–2026) — Class of 1991
Gordon Darcy Lilo
Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands (2011–2014)
Sir Frank Kabui
6th Governor-General of the Solomon Islands (2009–2019) — Class of 1973
Kalkot Mataskelekele
President of Vanuatu (2004–2009) — Class of 1981
