Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea – Professor Amanda Kennedy, Dean and Head of the School of Law at Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Australia, paid a courtesy call on Acting Dean Stephen Pokawin at the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) School of Law and later met with faculty members to discuss opportunities for academic collaboration, research, and legal education.
Professor Kennedy was accompanied by Justice John Carey, Judge Administrator and Executive Director of the Papua New Guinea Centre for Judicial Excellence (PNGCJE) during the visit.
The courtesy call provided an opportunity for Professor Kennedy and Acting Dean Pokawin to discuss matters of mutual interest, including legal education, research collaboration, staff and student engagement, and capacity-building initiatives. Discussions also focused on strengthening cooperation under the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Queensland University of Technology and the University of Papua New Guinea, which provides a framework for academic and institutional collaboration between the two universities.
Following the courtesy call, Professor Kennedy and Justice Carey met with faculty members of the UPNG School of Law. The meeting provided a valuable platform for the exchange of ideas on contemporary legal education, curriculum development, research partnerships, and the role of law schools in preparing graduates to meet the evolving needs of the legal profession and the justice sector.
Acting Dean Pokawin welcomed Professor Kennedy and Justice Carey and expressed appreciation for their engagement with the School of Law. He highlighted the School’s commitment to academic excellence and its important role in developing legal professionals who contribute to Papua New Guinea’s justice system and national development.
Professor Kennedy commended the UPNG School of Law for its longstanding contribution to legal education in Papua New Guinea and expressed her appreciation for the opportunity to engage with faculty members. She emphasized the importance of the MoU between QUT and UPNG in fostering academic partnerships, collaborative research, and professional exchanges that benefit both institutions.
Justice Carey noted the importance of strengthening relationships between universities and judicial institutions to support professional development, ethical leadership, and the rule of law. He encouraged continued collaboration between legal educators and the judiciary for the benefit of students, legal practitioners, and the wider community.
The visit reaffirmed the strong relationship between the University of Papua New Guinea, Queensland University of Technology, and the judiciary, while providing an opportunity to explore future initiatives that advance legal education, research, and professional training.
The University of Papua New Guinea School of Law remains committed to building productive partnerships with national and international institutions in pursuit of excellence in legal education, research, and community service.