A group of outstanding Papua New Guinean students and professionals has been awarded the 2025 Chevening Scholarships to pursue postgraduate studies in the United Kingdom, marking a significant investment in the country’s future leaders across health, environment, cyber security, and public administration.
Among the awardees is Andrea Masta, currently a Service Registrar in the Emergency Department at Port Moresby General Hospital. Andrea will pursue a Master of Science in Public Health and Health Promotion at Bangor University in North Wales, aiming to strengthen PNG’s healthcare systems and improve community well-being.
Melissa Lois Riven, another scholar, will undertake an MSc in Medical Microbiology at Manchester Metropolitan University. Melissa plans to return to PNG with enhanced expertise to tackle infectious diseases and bolster public health research capacity.
Carol Aigilo will study an MSc in Environment and Business Management at Bangor University. Carol is passionate about balancing environmental sustainability with business growth and hopes to bring back strategies to support PNG’s sustainable development initiatives.
Henly Kale Dopo has been selected to pursue a Master of Science in Cyber Security, Threat Intelligence, and Forensics at the University of Salford in Manchester. Henly aims to protect PNG’s digital infrastructure against rising cyber threats and strengthen the country’s cybersecurity capacity.
Finally, Bradley Yombon-Copio, a graduate Dental Surgeon with experience in advocacy and economic policy analysis, will study a Master’s in Economic Evaluation in Healthcare at City, St George’s, University of London. Bradley seeks to contribute to the development of smarter, more equitable healthcare systems in PNG.
Each scholar highlighted the importance of leadership, preparation, and passion in pursuing the Chevening Scholarship. They encourage future applicants to believe in their potential, invest time in crafting strong applications, and use their skills to create meaningful change in PNG.
The Chevening Scholarship Programme, funded by the UK Government, provides emerging leaders with the opportunity to study at top UK universities and join a global network of professionals committed to making a positive impact in their home countries. Applications for the 2026–2027 cohort are now open.
For more information and to apply, visit https://www.chevening.org/scholarship/papua-new-guinea/.