Crawford School of Public Policy

Between an exam and a lecture, Anna Kapil sat down with us to provide guidance as the Crawford team prepares for two major events in Papua New Guinea (PNG) next week – the PNG Update held at the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) and the Crawford School Alumni Dialogue Event.

Anna, who has been involved in organising two previous PNG Updates as a volunteer, explains it takes close to 12 months of meticulous planning, coupled with many enthusiastic helpers for the UPNG to deliver the annual PNG Update. Thousands of people, both on campus and online, engage with the program. It is a valuable time for PNG. This year, it will again feature Prime Minister James Marape, as well as the Crawford School’s Deputy Director, Professor Paul Burke and many other distinguished speakers.

While still in primary school, Anna travelled to Port Moresby to pursue her education. She departed her village in the PNG highlands, Simbu Province, Kerowagi, encouraged by her parents who spurred her on to succeed. After graduating from high school in Port Moresby, Anna lived on campus and completed a Bachelor of Economics at UPNG. As a young graduate, she was awarded an ANU-UPNG scholarship and at the end of this, year Anna will complete her Master of International and Development Economics at the Crawford School.

Reflecting on her time at both universities, Anna shared, “Campus life at UPNG and ANU were equally fun and exciting for different reasons. At UPNG, the students socialised on campus, congregating in large groups for activities such as playing games and enjoying traditional meals together. At ANU, I could be more independent and settled in well mixing and living with a lot of new international friends. I have truly enjoyed my time living on the ANU Campus, and I have felt happy, free and safe.”

Anna explained that transitioning to ANU from UPNG was not difficult as her Development Policy Centre (DevPol) colleagues provided support around academic expectations. Before leaving PNG, her UPNG tutors also guided her. She felt well prepared.

On Sundays in Canberra, a local Fijian church family welcomed Anna into their community, providing her with a connection to her PNG traditions and the chance to enjoy Pacific Island meals. Anna admits she loves a good Aussie meat pie and lamington but does miss the traditional home cooked meals.

Anna plans to return to Port Moresby in December and hopes to begin tutoring at UPNG. She looks forward to contributing to the 2025 PNG Update and reconnecting with the Crawford School as a new alum at the annual PNG Crawford School Alumni event.

As her time at ANU draws to a close, Anna has encouraging words for both Australian and PNG students: “People here should really appreciate the wonderful resources they have at the Crawford School and at ANU”. And for UPNG students, “Don’t doubt yourself. Always be ready to learn and take on a new experience”.