ANU welcomes the 2025 Australia Awards Somare-Whitlam Scholars from PNG

A big welcome to the 2025 Australia Awards Somare-Whitlam scholars from Papua New Guinea! This scholarship isn’t just about study - it’s about history, leadership, and the deep friendship between Australia and PNG.

An initiative of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's PNG Branches, this prestigious scholarship program marks 50 years of PNG’s Independence and honours the legacy of former Prime Ministers Sir Michael Somare and Gough Whitlam.

With 90 scholars heading to universities across Australia - twelve to The Australian National University and eleven of those to the Crawford School - we are excited to see these future leaders make their mark.

The welcome event was one to remember. Senator the Hon Penny Wong and PNG Prime Minister the Hon James Marape were there to celebrate this milestone, along with ANU Vice-Chancellor Professor Genevieve Bell, who shared inspiring words with the scholars.

A particularly special moment was the signing of the ANU Red Book - a historic guest book that holds the signatures of distinguished visitors to the university over many decades. Remarkably, only two people have signed it twice: Gough Whitlam and Prime Minister Marape. Now, another page in history has been written.

To the scholars - welcome to Australia, welcome to ANU, and welcome to Crawford. We are so glad to have you here!