Brief History

The School of Humanities and Social Sciences was established through parliamentary action in 2000. "In June 2000, the National Parliament passed a Bill to amend the University Act (Chapter 169)" which led to the creation of Schools in January 2001.

The restructuring involved significant organizational changes. Departments were discontinued, Strands were created with appointed Coordinators, and unified School offices were established to provide administrative support.

The school's foundation resulted from a merger. "In November 2000, the University of Papua New Guinea Council approved the amalgamation of the School of Humanities and the School of Social Sciences," which took effect on January 15, 2001.

By 2014, the combined institution had operated for thirteen years and became the university's largest school. It encompassed fourteen Strands covering disciplines from anthropology to social work, plus two research entities: the Melanesia and Pacific Studies center and the Melanesian Institute of Arts and Communication.

The School's primary mission centers on three functions: training professionals across humanities and social sciences fields, conducting research, and offering advisory services to public and private sector stakeholders. It achieved recognition "as the leading teaching and research school in the area of humanities and social sciences in PNG and the Pacific Region."