Back row L-R: Health, Safety, Sustainability & Environment Director for TotalEnergies EP PNG Limited (TotalEnergies) Marie-Alix Dognin, Caritas Teaching Staff Sister Foila Yang, two of the scholarship recipients, TotalEnergies National Content Manager Mary-Anne Reene and Front row: TotalEnergies Managing Director Arnaud Berthet and Caritas Technical Secondary School Directress Sister Mazarello Choi and Caritas teaching staff Esther Mwayemwana
On Wednesday, February 5, 2025, TotalEnergies EP PNG Limited (TotalEnergies), Operator of the Papua LNG project, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Caritas Technical Secondary School, to support the academic inclusion of young girls from Gulf Province, in Papua LNG’s TVET Scholarship Program.
Marking the beginning of a valuable partnership with Caritas and the expansion of the Project’s TVET investment in Papua New Guinea, the Papua LNG Scholarship will benefit 10 young women from Gulf Province, currently enrolled in National Certificate (NC) Courses 1 and 2, in the stream of Hospitality.
Complementing their educational journey through scholarship assistance, five students from the National Certificate (NC) 1 Commercial Cookery class and another five students from NC 2 classes in Operations, will have their boarding and tuition fees, along with one school uniform provided for, according to the terms of the MoU.
The intent of the support under the TVET scholarship is to enable Gulf students, to gain skills for future employment in PNG, where demand is forecasted.
In alignment with the Project’s first Pillar of strengthening the country’s workforce development, it is also mindful of being a responsible neighbour and bridging gender gaps when accessing education.
The Papua LNG TVET scholarship program has supported more than 460 students since 2019 at TVET institutions within Port Moresby. TotalEnergies has existing MoU’s with Port Moresby Technical College, where more than 270 scholarships have been offered since 2019 and more recently with Don Bosco Technical School, which has seen 180 young men from all over the country benefit since 2023.
It is anticipated that these students will equip themselves with the necessary skills, knowledge and practical development, to attain certificates within their chosen trades and qualify for future employment opportunities in the country.
The Project is once proud and excited to partner with another technical institution of the calibre of Caritas, working towards optimising opportunities for young women in PNG.
Managing Director for TotalEnergies Arnaud Berthet highlighted education is a cornerstone to the development of Papua New Guinea and stressed in his remarks that as a responsible neighbour, the Project’s contribution to the development of this country will be through the education of the children, especially young women.
“We are specifically targeting young women, because I firmly believe that part of the future of this country relies on women’s ability to take control of their lives and of their futures. Able to enter in life with all their assets in hand, this is critical to us,” he says.
In attendance to witness the signing were representatives from the Project Operator, representatives from Caritas, Directors for Jerilai Pujari Field Services Limited and other Project development partners.