Landowner subsidiary companies (Lancos) under Mineral Resources Development Company (MRDC) have sponsored two students who received top academic honors at the University of Goroka (UOG) 29th Graduation ceremony, held this week.

Kuwimb Hugum, who claimed the Outstanding Academic Performance Award, gained sponsorship from Petroleum Resources Moran under Petroleum License (PDL) 5 while Tonnica Nandie received the TVET Outstanding Academic Performance Award and sponsored by Gas Hides 4.

The award recipients were among 33 sponsored students who graduated during the ceremony.

These graduates were all from the mining, oil and gas project impacted areas across Papua New Guinea, who completed Diploma and Bachelor’s degrees across various academic disciplines as part of the University’s graduating cohort of more than 1,000 students.

All graduates were supported through the Education Subsidy Program managed by MRDC, which is administered on behalf of its landowner subsidiary companies to assist eligible students from resource project impacted communities.

In attendance at the ceremony were MRDC’s External Unit with petroleum Resources Gob (PRG) Chairman, Mr. Mathew Sisimolu, to witness the milestone achievement. MRDC Managing Director Mr. Augustine Mano congratulated the graduates, reaffirming the company’s ongoing commitment to education as a driver of national development.

“Education is a key driver of development, and through the Education Subsidy Program, MRDC and its subsidiaries have supported many students since 2022 to pursue and achieve their academic goals,” Mr. Mano said.

“MRDC and its landowner subsidiaries remain committed to supporting students from resource project impacted communities. Investment in education

continues to be a priority. With the qualifications they have obtained, these graduates are now well positioned to contribute meaningfully to their communities and to the development of the country.”