Medical Education Standards: UPNG’s School of Medicine and Health Sciences dean Prof Nakapi Tefuarani is urging parents and students to verify overseas medical school accreditation, warning some China-trained graduates need extra PNG clinical training and may struggle to get licences if standards fall short. New Medical University Setup: The NEC has appointed an interim council for PNG’s new medical university, expected to oversee leadership appointments and the move to a standalone institution in 2027. El Niño Preparedness: SPREP is telling Pacific communities to start preparing now after WMO declared El Niño underway, with impacts expected to vary by country. Women in Tech & Training: PNGUoT in Lae has opened a 100-bed female dorm to support women in engineering and technical studies, while a PNG UoT graduate is working as a site clerk on the project. Digital Learning Boost: Buk bilong Pikinini has partnered with Lightspeed PNG to connect 16 Library Learning Centres with secure internet for tablets, apps and teacher support. Safe Schools Policy Update: PNG is revising its Behaviour Management Policy with PNG–Australia Partnership support to tackle bullying, gender-based violence and the effects of social media and AI. Aviation Skills Funding: Lae City Authority has committed K500,000 to Manalos Aviation’s cadet pilot training program. Marine Science Discovery: Researchers have identified a new walking shark species, Hemiscyllium dudgeonae, found off Milne Bay, highlighting how much biodiversity remains unknown and how vulnerable narrow-range species can be. AI & Cyber Risks in the Pacific: Pacific leaders at the 2026 Peace and Security Dialogue warned that AI and digital tools bring both development gains and rising threats like misinformation and online harm.