In a landmark initiative that promises to reshape public service education in the Pacific, the Somare Institute of Leadership and Governance (SILAG) is embarking on a historic transformation to become Papua New Guinea’s first degree-granting institution dedicated solely to public service leadership. Guiding this strategic evolution is NIBM International, the global academic consultancy and transnational education arm of Sri Lanka’s National Institute of Business Management, bringing over 58 years of expertise in higher education, innovation, and institutional capacity building. This collaboration is more than an academic partnership; it is a pioneering example of South–South cooperation, where shared expertise strengthens governance, ethical leadership, and professional public service standards across nations.

About SILAG

The Somare Institute of Leadership and Governance is Papua New Guinea’s oldest and most respected public service training institution, with roots dating back to 1954 when the Public Service Institute first began offering training to government officers.

The institute has trained more than 100,000 public officers and counts among its alumni some of the nation’s most prominent leaders, including founding Prime Minister Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare, Sir Ebia Olewale, and Sir Maori Kiki.

About NIBM – The National Institute of Business Management – The City University

The National Institute of Business Management (NIBM), Sri Lanka, has a rich history spanning over 58 years, evolving into a leading higher education institution in the country. NIBM operates as a self-sustained, internationally recognised degreeawarding institute under the purview of Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Education. NIBM the premier higher education institute in Sri Lanka, leads with a mission to develop competencies in individuals and organisations through training, consultancy, and experiential learning. Its goal is to produce liberal thinkers capable of transforming their own lives and the lives of others, fostering a generation of highly influential lifelong learners. Throughout its journey, NIBM has remained committed to global standards and innovation in education, offering undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes across faculties of business, computing, engineering, languages, humanities, and design. Its initiatives also include the National Innovation Center in Colombo, the Kandy Innovation Center at Peradeniya, NIBM Neo Venturesand development of advanced programmes in Big Data Analytics, Data Science, Machine Learning, and Artificial Intelligence. Recognising the evolving needs of industries, NIBM provides customised training and consultancy services, while its Digital Campus enables students to continue their degree programs online, opening access to international students and expanding the institute’s global engagement. With approximately 12,000 students across multiple campuses and digital platforms, NIBM has implemented the Outcome- Based Learning (OBL) system across all faculties, integrating coaching, mentoring, and counseling into the teaching and learning framework, thereby further strengthening its leadership in transnational education.

An Institution Intertwined with National History

SILAG’s story mirrors that of the nation it serves. Established in 1954 as the Public Service Institute, it laid the foundations for professional training of public officers long before independence. In 1963, the Administrative College (ADCOL) was formally inaugurated, institutionalizing public service education in Papua New Guinea.

Over the decades, SILAG evolved through multiple national identities before becoming today’s Somare Institute of Leadership and Governance. More than 100,000 public officers have benefited from SILAG’s programs, underscoring its enduring role as a crucible of leadership in the country.

Strengthening the Pillars of Public Administration

With over 130,000 officers deployed across national, provincial, and district administrations, Papua New Guinea’s public service is among the largest in the Pacific. SILAG has been central in equipping these officers with the skills, knowledge, and ethical grounding necessary to navigate complex governance challenges. Its programs, aligned with the National Qualification Framework, include certificates, diplomas, and short courses spanning public administration, leadership, project management, human resource management, and community development.

The Public Sector Training Policy of 2021 further reinforced SILAG’s authority, mandating certification as a prerequisite for recruitment, promotion, and appointment within the civil service.

A Strategic Mandate for the Future

On 1 December 2025, the Marape-Rosso Government approved SILAG’s transformation into a faculty-based unified degreegranting institution through NEC Decision 230/2025.

NIBM International Brings Global Expertise

To ensure a seamless transition, SILAG engaged NIBM International. Drawing on NIBM’s decades of institutional experience and global best practices, NIBM International supports SILAG in:- Implementing outcome-based learning and teaching frameworks, Strengthening academic governance and quality assurance systems, Designing new academic modules in public administration, public finance, digital governance, ICT, and entrepreneurship, Deploying advanced digital learning platforms.

Fostering Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Beyond academic programmes, the partnership introduces NIBM Neo Ventures, an entrepreneurship hubwhich would be designed to cultivate innovation and enterprise among public service students. The initiative integrates entrepreneurship modules, mentorship programmes, and incubation support to empower students to design solutions for governance and community challenges.

Building a Future-Ready Public Service

Under the consultancy of NIBM International, SILAG is implementing an outcome-based learning framework, ensuring that academic programs translate directly into practical competence in public administration. Staff exchanges, student mobility programs, and joint research initiatives are being introduced to foster sustainable institutional capacity and international collaboration.

Voices from NIBM Leadership

Dr. Gunathilake Tantirigama, the Chairman of NIBM said : This is about building institutions, not just about delivering courses. By transferring knowledge systems and international best practices we aim to empower Papua New Guineans to lead and sustain their own public service transformation.

Dr. D.M.A. Kulasooriya, Director General, NIBM, speaking on the strategic importance of the consultancy, stated: "Supporting SILAG’s transition to an Outcome-Based Education framework represents a strategic investment in the future of public sector leadership in Papua New Guinea. Through this consultancy, NIBM is introducing a results-oriented education model that directly links learning outcomes to public service effectiveness, ethical leadership, and institutional accountability. Our objective is to develop public service leaders who combine strong academic foundations with practical competencies, enabling them to lead confidently and effectively within complex and evolving governance environments."

Dr. Buddhima Hansinie Subasinghe, Head of Student Life and Engagement and NIBM International, emphasized the transnational and international dimension of the partnership:

"This initiative extends well beyond the conferral of academic qualifications. Through NIBM International’s transnational education and consultancy expertise, we are supporting SILAG in developing academically rigorous, globally benchmarked programs that remain deeply responsive to Papua New Guinea’s governance context. This collaboration represents a sustained commitment to institutional capacity building, innovation in public service education, and the integration of international best practices into locally grounded leadership development."

Leadership at the Event

The launch of the consultancy and official engagement event was attended by key NIBM leadership:- Dr. Gunathilake Tantirigama – Chairman, NIBM, Dr. D.M.A. Kulasooriya – Director General, NIBM, Dr. Mrs. Buddhima Subasinghe – Head, Student Life & Engagement, NIBM International, Mrs. Pavithra Wickramasuriya – Head, Productivity & Quality. The dignitaries from the Somare Institute of Leadership & Governance and senior government officials of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea include:- Ambassador Ivan Pomaleu (Chief Secretary to the Government, Department of the Prime Minister and National Executive Council), Ms Taies Sansan (Chairperson, SILAG Governing Council, and Secretary, Department of Personnel Management), SILAG Governing Council members, including Mr Lonnie Baki, Acting Secretary of the Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (DHERST). MrPanditha M. N. Bandara – Honorary Consul of Sri Lanka in Papua New Guinea, Mr Michael Barobe – Chief Executive Officer, SILAG, Mr. Robert Nemala - Executive Director – Workforce Training & Development, SILAG Their presence emphasised the importance of the partnership and NIBM’s commitment to supporting SILAG in its historic transformation.