Charles Sturt University (CSU) is set to provide postgraduate studies to lecturers at primary teachers colleges in Papua New Guinea (PNG) under a $1.4 million AusAID-funded contract.

As part of the Virtual Columbo Plan (VCP), a joint initiative between the Australian Government and the World Bank, CSU will deliver a Master of Education course to 40 PNG scholarship recipients.

The contract was awarded to a consortium consisting of Charles Sturt University, the University of Goroka and TAFE Global (the entrepreneurial arm of NSW TAFE) following a public tender.

Commencing this month, the Masters program will run through to the end of 2005. Scholarship holders will study by distance education supported by in-country residential schools each semester and the online facilities of CSU. Staff from the University of Goroka will provide regular mentoring.

“CSU was able to demonstrate that we have the best structures in place to deliver results,” said Professor Bob Meyenn, Dean of the Faculty of Education. “Our partnership with the University of Goroka was also crucial in our submission coming out ahead of the other applicants.” 

As a major provider of teacher education, CSU delivers more than 300 courses to around 38 000 on-campus and distance education students throughout Australia and overseas.

“The eight subjects making up the Masters degree are being customised jointly with the University of Goroka to reflect PNG cultural context. Our first residential school will be held in Goroka at the end of September,” said Professor Meyenn who is also Technical Director of the program.

Introduced two years ago, the Virtual Colombo Plan aims to address the root causes of poverty through the use of information and communication technologies with a focus on improving education and access to knowledge.

It builds on the concepts of the original Colombo Plan, instituted over 50 years ago, which is the world's oldest regional cooperation organisation involved with economic and social development.

Australia was one of the seven founding members of that initiative which has provided technical assistance to developing countries.