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Pacific Research Grant Awardee Spotlight: Emelda Calista Ariku
Congratulations to Emelda Calista Ariku, Solomon Islands National University and Pacific Research Grant Awardee, on the successful completion of her research on âChallenges and Barriers that Students Faced in Transitioning from Secondary Schools into Higher Tertiary Education: The Perspectives of Divine Word University Students, Madang Province, Papua New Guinea.â
Her study examined the academic, technological, social, and institutional challenges students experience when transitioning from secondary school to tertiary education, with particular attention to students from rural and disadvantaged backgrounds.
The findings highlight the need for more inclusive, structured, and responsive transition support to help students adjust, participate, and succeed in higher education. The research also provides valuable insights that can inform government policy and institutional strategies, while supporting Divine Word University in strengthening programs that promote studentsâ academic success and overall well-being.
Ultimately, addressing these barriers can contribute to improving the quality, accessibility, and inclusiveness of higher education in Papua New Guinea.
đ For more information, please read Emeldaâs policy brief here: devnet.org.nz/emelda-calista-ariku-solomon-islands-national-university/
đą Call for Papers & Presentations â DEVNET Conference 2026
Just a gentle reminder that submissions of paper and presentation abstracts for the 2026 DEVNET Conference are due on Monday, 31 August 2026.
We welcome submissions from academics, practitioners, policymakers, community organisations, and students that engage with the conference theme:
đ Rebalancing Worlds â Remaking Practice
Abstracts can be submitted to one of the conference sessions, the Open Session, or the dedicated Student Session for postgraduate students wishing to have their presentations adjudicated.
đ Submit your abstract via the conference webpage:
www.wgtn.ac.nz/sgees/about/events/devnet-2026-conference
Please share this opportunity with your networks.
We look forward to receiving your submissions and welcoming everyone to Wellington in December!
#DEVNET2026 #CallForPapers #CallForAbstracts #DevelopmentStudies #Conference2026 #Research
Conference event page/abstract submission link: www.wgtn.ac.nz/sgees/about/events/devnet-2026-conference
We are delighted to celebrate the outstanding results of the writing retreat facilitated by Alice Rore and Doni Wainiqolo, both graduates of the DevNet Training of Trainers Programme (2025).
With support from the DevNet Pacific Writing Retreat Grant, the retreat brought together 13 doctoral scholars from the Norway-Pacific Ocean-Climate Scholarship Programme (NPOC) for a four-day intensive writing retreat based on the NIU Writing Approachâa Pacific adaptation of the Pomodoro technique grounded in the values of solesolevaki, collective accountability, relational learning, and peer support.
The retreat exceeded its objectives. Together, the scholars wrote an impressive 56,112 words, surpassed their collective writing targets, achieved significant thesis and publication milestones, strengthened peer support networks, and gained confidence in applying and facilitating the NIU Writing Approach within their own institutions and professional contexts.
Beyond the writing achievements, the retreat fostered a supportive Pacific learning environment where scholars learned from one another, shared challenges, encouraged each other, and developed practical skills in scholarly writing, publishing, research communication, and the responsible use of artificial intelligence in research.
Congratulations to Alice, Doni, and all the participants on this remarkable achievement. Your dedication to advancing Pacific scholarship and collaborative learning is truly inspiring.
Lolomas to the Fiji writing retreat leaders, Doni and Alice, who are doing a great job of faciliating supportive, productive, culturally-grounded writing retreats!
Amazing! Well done everyone!
đą Call for Papers & Presentations â DEVNET Conference 2026
The Call for Abstracts for the 2026 DEVNET Conference is now open!
We welcome submissions from academics, practitioners, policymakers, community organisations, and students that engage with the conference theme:
đ Rebalancing Worlds â Remaking Practice
Abstracts can be submitted to one of the conference sessions, the Open Session, or the dedicated Student Session for postgraduate students wishing to have their presentations adjudicated.
đ Submit your abstract via the conference webpage:
www.wgtn.ac.nz/sgees/about/events/devnet-2026-conference
đ
Submission deadline: Monday, 31 August 2026
Please share this opportunity with your networks. We look forward to receiving your submissions and welcoming everyone to Wellington in December!
#DEVNET2026 #CallForPapers #CallForAbstracts #DevelopmentStudies #Conference2026 #Research
www.wgtn.ac.nz
On behalf of the DEVNET National Forum and the Conference Planning Committee, we warmly welcome you to Wellington for the 2026 DEVNET Conference.
Congratulations to Aiga Ian, an early-career researcher at the University of Papua New Guinea, on completing his research titled, The Effects of Gender-Based Violence on Womenâs and Menâs Mental Health in Papua New Guinea: A Case Study of Kupiano Station, Kelerakwa Village, and the Wavulu Landmass Area, Central Province, Papua New Guinea. The research was funded through the DevNet Pacific Development Research Grant.
Gender-based violence (GBV) is closely linked to mental health challenges affecting both women and men. This study examines how experiences of GBV impact the mental health of women and men in selected communities. It provides valuable insights into the drivers of GBV, coping and recovery mechanisms, and the barriers individuals face when seeking support and assistance.
Read the policy brief here: view.officeapps.live.com/op/view.aspx?src=https%3A%2F%2Fdevnet.org.nz%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F20...