HP Education Ambassador Brett Salakas shares how educators in Papua New Guinea are elevating their technology platforms and upskilling with the help of Australian expertise.
At HP’s (Hewlett-Packard) Sydney head office, a powerful collaboration was ignited as school principals and executive leaders from the International Education Agency (IEA) of Papua New Guinea (PNG) came together with education and industry partners.
Representing 18 schools and a TAFE institution, the IEA has been a cornerstone of education in PNG for nearly five decades. This visit in June marked a defining moment in their journey, a move to unify and elevate digital education across the country.
As the IEA prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2026, its leadership team has taken a monumental step: unifying technology platforms across PNG. Its goal? To streamline access, modernise teaching, and empower every teacher and student with tools that are not only reliable and built for the future but centred on educational needs. This includes both the K-12 schools and PNG TAFE, which together represent a critical part of the nation’s lifelong learning infrastructure.
Our collaboration was made even stronger thanks to the incredible work of Miriam Torres from JB Hi-Fi Education, whose team crafted a tailored and holistic solution that meets the diverse needs of the IEA community. From device management to classroom integration, the solution is designed to scale and stand the test of time.
To launch this exciting new chapter, we welcomed the IEA executive team and 17 of their school principals for a day of professional learning, deep collaboration, and shared vision. A highlight of the day was having HP Managing Director Brad Pulford join the session to share a global perspective on education and digital equity.
The day wasn’t just about devices or infrastructure. It was a celebration of people and partnerships. Australian education shone brightly; not only through the formal presentations and insights shared at the EDUtech Australia conference, which the IEA delegation attended, but also through the informal moments of connection that sparked throughout the visit. Ideas flowed freely, perspectives were exchanged, and lasting relationships began to form. The spirit of collaboration and shared purpose became the true foundation for future growth.
The EDUtech event itself offered the IEA team an invaluable window into current trends in education technology. From AI in learning to student-led innovation, the principals returned inspired, energised, and better connected to the global education ecosystem.
As Mapi Morea, Principal at Rabaul International School, noted: “Enjoyed the session… it’s quite amazing to see how IEA can tap into your expertise with the IT tools from HP and JB Hi-Fi education solutions.”
That sense of collaboration and shared purpose was at the heart of the experience. From discussing strategy to exploring real classroom solutions, the IEA team brought passion, professionalism, and a clear vision for their students.
This partnership is ultimately about more than technology. It’s about empowering educators, building digital confidence, and creating sustainable impact. That’s why the next stage of our journey is focused on scaling professional development across the IEA network.
In the lead-up to the IEA’s 50th anniversary in 2026, we’re working together to roll out large scale training programs that elevate digital teaching and learning. Through free online offerings like HP IDEA (Innovate, Design, Educate and Act) and the HP AI Teacher Academy, we’re enabling educators across PNG to upskill, lead, and thrive in a rapidly changing world.
What began as a visit has grown into a movement, one that promises to redefine education in PNG for the next 50 years. And we’re honoured to be part of the journey.
