A recall notice issued by the university offers 2023 and 2024 graduates a valuable upgrade, replacing their current certificates with new, globally-recognized credentials under the prestigious Washington Accord.
(Lae, PNG) – In a move that signals a significant quality upgrade for its engineering programs, the Papua New Guinea University of Technology (PNGUoT) has issued an immediate recall for the bachelor certificates of all its 2023 and 2024 engineering graduates.
The reason? A major achievement for the university: its five engineering programs have now received accreditation from Engineers Australia under the Washington Accord, a prestigious international agreement that sets a global benchmark for engineering education.
This accreditation is a game-changer for graduates. It means their PNGUoT engineering degrees will now be recognized internationally, significantly enhancing their career mobility and prospects abroad. However, to unlock this global recognition, graduates must exchange their current certificates for new ones issued under the new accreditation guideline.
“The Academic Board has formally revoked the engineering certificates issued in April 2023 and April 2024,” the notice states. “These will no longer be recognized by the university and its stakeholders.”
The university is urging all affected graduates to act promptly. The process for exchanging the diploma varies depending on the graduate’s location:
- Graduates in Lae and Morobe can return their original certificate in person to the Exams Office and receive the new one immediately.
- Graduates residing outside Morobe are instructed to send their original certificate via secure mail, along with a copy of their ID, to the Exams Officer. Crucially, they must also include a prepaid, secured return envelope for the new certificate to be sent back.
- Graduates can also authorize a nominee to collect the certificate on their behalf with prior email approval.
The window for this exchange is limited. The university will issue the new certificates only between September and December 31, 2025. The notice explicitly warns that no new certificates will be issued after the December 31 deadline and that there will be no reprints.
This recall is a positive administrative step following a substantial academic achievement. For nearly 1,000 engineers who graduated in the last two years, it’s an opportunity to upgrade their qualifications to an international standard, potentially opening doors to work and further study across the globe.
Affected graduates are advised to contact the PNGUoT Exams Office via email at graduation.enquiries@pnguot.ac.pg or by phone at 473 4285 for any clarifications.
