Library hosts PNG women researchers on a nation-building journey

Recently, the Library hosted 12 women from Lae in Papua New Guinea (PNG) who are undertaking research in sustainable tropical agriculture and agribusiness.

‘Strongim Risets Kapasiti Bilong Ol Meri’ (SRKBOM) – which translates to ‘’Strengthening Women’s Research Capacity’ in Tok Pisin – is a multi-million-dollar initiative that aims to enhance the research skills of women in PNG, foster professional networks and build long-term mentoring capacity, leading to better career outcomes for local women.

The program was funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and led by RMIT’s Centre for International Development co-directors Professor Sefa Churchill and Professor Simon Feeny, who worked alongside Professor Janet Roitman, Associate Professor Ankita Mishra and Dr Preety Srivastava.

According to Srivastava, SRKBOM’s aim is to empower female academics and researchers. The program provides practical support by sharing tools and resources to help participants become leaders in their respective fields. The program also strengthens gender equity in research and builds reciprocal institutional links between PNG and Australia.

Photos by May Sivakumaran

“By investing in women’s research capacity,” says Srivastava, “the initiative addresses long-standing gender imbalances in academia and other sectors and contributes to PNG’s development priorities.”

In October 2025, the Library hosted a different group from Port Moresby. Participants reported positive outcomes and expressed optimism about the program’s future.

As the group grows and the program continues, the lessons and research outcomes will positively impact Papua New Guinea’s growth. A visitor from 2025, Elizabeth Dumu, says that the women in the group can contribute to meaningful development of the country.

Gretel Matawan, Senior Project Officer with the Consultative Implementation and Monitoring Council (CIMC) and another participant from 2025, has already identified real-world applications for her insights from the program.

“I’m applying what I’ve learned in this program to gathering better data from local communities, especially women, to help design a budget. One that includes grass roots needs such as improving health and education at a local level,” she says.

As part of our hosting duties, the Library provided the group with a tour of the facilities across the City campus and an exclusive look at rare books in our Special Collections. Staff also facilitated two workshops on academic writing and on how to research open access resources in the comfort of our Rocking Chair lounge.

Photos by May Sivakumaran

Seeing the range of services and resources at the Library firsthand was a particularly impressive and memorable experience for one of this year’s participants from Lae, June Mandawali, who is a scientific officer at PNG Forest Research Insititute. “The tour of your library facilities was truly memorable,” she says.

Going forward, Strengthening Women’s Research Capacity in PNG will deliver additional workshops in Goroka, Papua New Guinea. The workshop participants will also be eligible for selection for a four-week training and mentorship program in Australia in 2027. We look forward to welcoming new researchers to visit the Library next year.

14 July 2026

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