By KDDA in Focus

In a significant boost to provincial governance, 33 senior managers from the Simbu Provincial Administration officially graduated with a Diploma in Government Leadership and Management (DoGLM) on December 5, 2025. The ceremony, held at the Somare Institute of Leadership and Governance (SILAG) in Port Moresby, marked the culmination of a pioneering year-long training initiative.

Delivered through a flexible block method from October 2024 to October 2025, the program was a first-of-its-kind partnership. It allowed participants to alternate between three weeks of intensive classroom learning at SILAG and two weeks of practical application back in their respective workplaces in Simbu, ensuring immediate real-world impact.

During his keynote address, Hon. Francis Kikin Siune lauded the foresight of Simbu Provincial Administrator John Punde and Governor Noah Kool for their substantial investment in human resources. “This initiative aligns perfectly with the national government’s directive for systematic and structured training within the public service,” Mr Siune stated. He emphasized the transformative power of the program, noting that true public service hinges on attitude, declaring, “Leadership is an attitude.”

The comprehensive DoGLM curriculum equipped the graduates with advanced skills in governance, strategic planning, public finance management, and human resource leadership.

SILAG Chief Executive Officer Michael Barobe commended the Simbu Provincial Government for its unwavering commitment to staff development. He highlighted that the graduates now form a core team of qualified professionals ready to drive effective policy implementation. “The goal of all this training is simple: service must be delivered,” Mr Barobe concluded.

The graduation represents a major milestone in building leadership capacity within the Simbu Provincial Administration, setting a benchmark for other provinces to follow.