PNGUoT Hosts Inaugural Digital Incubator Hub Workshop
The Papua New Guinea University of Technology (PNGUoT) hosted the inaugural Digital Innovation Incubator Hub (DiiHub) Workshop on Friday, providing a platform for Business IT students to showcase innovative digital solutions developed to address real-world challenges.
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The workshop marked an important milestone for the newly established DiiHub, an initiative designed to foster innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship among students while strengthening practical, project-based learning.
Deputy Vice Chancellor Professor Garry Sali said the establishment of DiiHub reflected PNGUoT's commitment to nurturing innovation and equipping students with the skills needed to solve real-world problems.
“Universities are centres of knowledge creation, but knowledge must also be transformed into solutions that improve lives and contribute to national development,” Professor Sali said.
“This workshop demonstrates the talent, creativity and potential of our students. Through innovation and technology, they are identifying local challenges and developing practical solutions that can make a meaningful difference.”
Established with support from the PNG Science and Technology Secretariat, DiiHub was introduced as an extension of project-based learning, providing students with opportunities to apply classroom knowledge in developing innovative solutions with practical applications.
Chief Executive Officer of the PNG Science and Technology Secretariat Dr Kulala Mulung reaffirmed the government's commitment to supporting research, development and innovation in higher education institutions. He encouraged students and academics to embrace innovation and transform ideas into practical solutions that can benefit communities and contribute to national development.
“Innovation is a concept and an idea that many countries have already embraced. In Papua New Guinea, we are still talking about it, but we need to move beyond discussion and start putting ideas into action. That is why we are supporting initiatives such as this workshop and the development of innovation hubs within the university."
.Students from the School of Business Studies undertaking the Bachelor of Business in Information Technology (BBIT) presented a range of technology-driven projects, demonstrating how digital solutions can be applied to address community and development challenges in Papua New Guinea in the areas of education, health, transport, infrastructure, and language, amongst others.
Two third-year students, Sailen Sipusipu and Sharon Karato, spoke about the inspiration behind their projects, noting that the DiiHub initiative encouraged them to think outside the box and transform classroom learning into practical solutions for real-world challenges.
We thank the PNGSTCS for recognizing the potential of our students and for supporting this platform, which provides them with an opportunity to present their ideas.