In Papua New Guinea, the development of what is known as PNGARNET, short for Papua New Guinea Academic and Research Network, is being spearheaded by universities, in particular the Divine Word University in Madang. PNGARNET, set to be soon, is a company wholly-owned by the PNG Vice-Chancellors Committee and was formed with the express purpose of facilitating the efficient cost-effective delivery of Internet services to Institutions of Higher Education (IHE) and research in PNG, so that PNG tertiary students can receive a world-class education.
All organisations which are part of the Office of Higher Education in PNG can get involved in PNGARNET. PNGARNET is providing efficient Internet resources to its members through a satellite Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN).
The third PNG National Educational Plan offers the challenge that the universities provide a world class education to its citizens. This plan presumes that PNG tertiary students will be able to access the learning resources that are commonly provided via Internet connections, thus, PNG students must become world learners. The equipment including satellite dishes, antennae and Block Up Converters – a device used in the transmission of satellite signals, for the sites of the PNGARNET partners has been sourced mainly from China.
