PNGUoT Engineering Students Conduct Hydropower Assessment in Simbu
Students and staff from the Faculty of Engineering at the Papua New Guinea University of Technology (PNGUoT) recently undertook a field visit to the Mauberema Conservation Area in Simbu Province, marking the first major activity under a newly signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between PNGUoT and the Mauberema Environmental and Conservation Research and Training Centre (MENCERTC).
The visit, conducted from 14 to 16 June 2026, brought together Mechanical, Civil and Electrical Engineering students and academic supervisors to carry out scoping studies and collect data for a potential hydropower development project within the Mauberema Conservation Area in the Sinesine-Yongomugl District.
The fieldwork was undertaken at the request of MENCERTC and provided students with an opportunity to apply classroom knowledge to a real-world engineering challenge as part of their Professional Work Experience (PWE) program.
The assessment is expected to contribute to future feasibility studies and may also provide valuable data for final-year student research projects. The initiative creates a pathway for students to engage in practical engineering work, from project scoping and feasibility analysis through to potential implementation.
The visit also highlights the growing partnership between PNGUoT and MENCERTC, aimed at strengthening collaboration between academia and industry while supporting sustainable development initiatives in Papua New Guinea.
By engaging students in hands-on field research, the partnership is helping to build local engineering capacity and expose future professionals to the challenges and opportunities of developing renewable energy solutions for rural communities.
The university has acknowledged MENCERTC for hosting the team and looks forward to the next phase of feasibility studies as the project progresses.
The collaboration reflects PNGUoT’s commitment to producing industry-ready graduates while contributing practical solutions to national development priorities through research, innovation and community engagement.
