Betty Junior, a recent graduate from the University of Technology (UoT) with a degree in Applied Economics, is setting her sights on returning home to Western Province.
Ms. Junior plans to leverage her education to help ensure the profits extracted from her land benefit the communities who live on it.
“Investing in the education of young people like me is an investment in the future of our communities,” Ms. Junior said. “It empowers us with the skills and knowledge needed to create better opportunities and contribute to the sustainable development of our home.”
Ms. Junior, who is from the North Fly District, received funding through MRCMCA trust company, which is designed to deliver benefits to local landowners. The program is managed by the Mineral Resources Development Company.
“Being a CMCA subsidy recipient was a turning point,” she explained. “For many families in these regions, higher education can seem like a financial hurdle. This program provided financial assistance and instilled a strong sense of purpose.”
“Our province is rich in resources, yet we continue to face significant issues,” Ms.
Junior observed. “We have limited access to quality education, healthcare, and essential infrastructure. My aim is to encourage more young people to pursue education so we can develop a strong local workforce capable of driving positive change from within.”
Her goal, she said, is to help build a more equitable future.
“I want to be part of the solution that bridges the gap in access to services and creates pathways for everyone, regardless of their location, to have a better quality of life,” she affirmed.
Ms. Junior is one of 18 recent graduates from the University of Technology alone who benefited from the MRDC-managed program.
Since its inception in 2022, the initiative has provided tuition subsidies to nearly 9,000 students from communities impacted by mining and petroleum projects across Papua New Guinea.
