The Master of Economic and Public Policy (MEPP) is a two-year program delivered jointly by the Australian National University (ANU) and the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG), through UPNG’s School of Business and Public Policy and the ANU Development Policy Centre under the ANU-UPNG partnership. The program began in 2017 with nine students and gradually expanded to around 40 students per cohort. Enrolment peaked at close to 50 students in 2022, 2023 and 2024, following the easing of COVID-related disruptions, with female students making up around one-third of the cohort.
The program is designed for mid- to senior-level professionals working in government, the private sector, banks, non-government organisations and other policy-related fields. It aims to strengthen the students’ knowledge and skills in economics, public policy, governance, public sector management and applied policy analysis.
Entry Pathway
Entry into the MEPP program is through the Graduate Diploma in Economic and Public Policy (GDEPP), which forms the first year of the program. Applicants are expected to have:
- a good first degree in economics, public policy or a related field from a recognised university, or equivalent qualifications;
- at least four years of management-level work experience after completing their first degree; and
- strong English language skills and computer literacy.
Program Structure
The first year of the program is the Graduate Diploma in Economic and Public Policy. Students complete nine coursework subjects (45 credits) covering areas such as governance and institutions, quantitative and qualitative research methods, microeconomic and macroeconomic policy, public sector management and government finance.
After completing the Graduate Diploma, students progress to the second year of the MEPP. The second year can be completed through either:
- Coursework pathway: 30 credit points of additional coursework; or
- Research pathway: 15 credit points of coursework and a 15 credit point research paper.
The courses are taught by academics from both ANU and UPNG. The research pathway gives students the opportunity to undertake an applied policy research project on an economic or public policy issue relevant to Papua New Guinea, under the supervision of ANU and UPNG academics.
The MEPP Association is being established by current students and alumni of the Master of Economics and Public Policy program, which aims to strengthen links among MEPP students, graduates, academics and policy practitioners, and provide a platform for ongoing exchange, dialogue and debate on Papua New Guinea’s most pressing economic, public policy and development issues.