Expertise and networks 
from Australia to PNG

For Simaima Tavil-Melachon, working at ACER has been, in her words, ‘a perfect fit.’ Seconded to ACER as one of only 30 recipients of a prestigious 2012 Prime Minister’s Pacific-Australia Award (PMPA), Simaima contributed her intimate knowledge of the education system in PNG to a grant application for the All Children Reading program on a proposed project to address improvement in literacy in Papua New Guinea. She worked on this proposal, submitted in late January, with Leila Ismail, ACER Manager of International Development, and Marion Meiers, Senior Research Fellow in ACER’s Teaching, Learning and Transitions research program.

Simaima completed a Bachelor of Science in Applied Chemistry at the PNG University of Technology in Lae in Morobe Province and a Postgraduate Diploma in Education at the University of Goroka in PNG’s Eastern Highlands Province. She was then awarded an Australian Development Scholarship to complete her Master of Science and Technology Education at La Trobe University in Melbourne in 2011.

‘When I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in 1995 there was a real need for resourceful science teachers in PNG,’ said Simaima, ‘but as soon as I began teaching I saw there was also a need for effective literacy programs.

‘The turning point for me was when I was teaching science in a remote school and I found the students were struggling, not because of their ability, but because of their literacy, even though I was teaching in the local creole. Later, when I was teaching in Port Moresby, I saw the difference in literacy standards. Those experiences got me interested in programs to develop literacy and integrated science learning. The work I’m doing at ACER is a perfect fit for me because it addresses literacy from the primary level to the level of vocational education and training.’

The PMPAs form part of the Australian Government’s Australia Awards initiative, designed to promote knowledge, education links and enduring ties between Australia and our neighbours, particularly the Pacific, East Timor and PNG. It also aims to assist nation building by strengthening institutional capacity and leadership in the Pacific and by building sustainable people-to-people linkages. The PMPAs are administered by AusAID.

‘Receiving a PMPA was a surprise and a humbling experience,’ said Simaima. ‘I hadn’t actually even considered applying. I was working on my minor thesis for my Master of Science and Technology Education at La Trobe University, addressing links between Indigenous knowledge and the science curriculum. I completed my Masters with the support of AusAID, and it was my AusAID scholarships contact officer at La Trobe University, Janine Campbell, who suggested I apply for a PMPA, so really it’s her I have to thank.

‘I’ve learned a huge amount, working with a team of amazing people. The team approach at ACER has meant I’ve been able to pick up so many skills from so many helpful people. Just as importantly, it’s also meant I’ve quickly developed an expanding network of contacts.’

When asked who she would choose if she could take three of ACER’s people back to PNG, Simaima’s immediate reply is ‘Only three?’. Her more considered answer goes back to the teamwork approach and networks.

‘In a way,’ she said, ‘it wouldn’t matter who I chose because any three people would have so much shared and collaborative knowledge and so many useful contacts. When I return to PNG I’ll be going with a lot of friends from ACER, knowing I can draw on their expertise and a really rich network. That’s incredibly valuable.’

And if she could take three ACER resources or services back to PNG?

‘In my teaching experience the real need is for resources that address literacy and numeracy, so I’d take anything and every-thing that addresses that. I’d take resources and services that support selection and monitoring for schools, leadership and management, and vocational, adult and workplace education.’

Simaima is now considering her next step.

‘I’ve received several job offers, and there are many openings. Of course, I’d love to work on the All Children Reading program. It would be great to see that project succeed and I’d love to work on it in PNG.’

Whatever the future holds, one thing is certain: she’ll be taking a wealth of expertise and a network of contacts—and friends—with her.