Seven students awarded scholarships as CPL launches a three-year commitment to support 40 future pharmacists ahead of its 40th anniversary in 2027
CPL Group has officially relaunched its Pharmacy Scholarship Program, awarding scholarships to seven pharmacy students from the University of Medicine & Health Sciences (UMHS) and reaffirming its commitment to developing Papua New Guinea’s future healthcare workforce.
Originally established in 2019, the CPL Pharmacy Scholarship Program provides tuition support to selected second, third, and fourth-year pharmacy students. Following its suspension during the COVID-19 pandemic, the program resumed in February 2026.
Since its inception, the scholarship program has supported 18 pharmacy students, with 11 recipients in its inaugural year and seven students selected under the program’s renewed phase in 2026. Over the next three years, CPL aims to support a total of 40 pharmacy students as part of its commitment to strengthening the country’s healthcare sector ahead of the company’s 40th anniversary in 2027.
The seven scholarship recipients were formally recognized at a presentation ceremony held on 12 August at the UMHS Medical Faculty, Port Moresby General Hospital.
The event was attended by Executive Dean of the University of Medicine & Health Sciences, Professor Nakapi Tefuarani; Deputy Dean (Academic & Research), Professor Tempo; President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Papua New Guinea, Omega Manua; CPL Group executives; scholarship recipients; and members of the media.
“We believe that investing in education is one of the most meaningful ways we can contribute to the future of healthcare in our country. We are proud to support the next generation of pharmacists who will play a vital role in strengthening healthcare services and improving the wellbeing of our communities.”
Catherine Tawali
General Manager, People & Culture, CPL Group
“City Pharmacy has played a pivotal role in advancing healthcare development in Papua New Guinea. Currently, we produce fewer than 15,000 health professionals, but as the school transitions into a standalone University of Medicine & Health Sciences, our ambition is to train more than 30,000 by 2030. CPL’s commitment to providing scholarships across a broader range of health science disciplines will be instrumental in achieving this goal and strengthening the national health workforce, helping to improve the healthcare worker-to-population ratio from approximately 0.53% to between 2% and 4%.”
Professor Nakapi Tefuarani
Executive Dean, University of Medicine & Health Sciences
“Congratulations to all the scholarship recipients. It is especially meaningful for me, having graduated from this institution in 2006, to witness its remarkable growth and the progress our country has made over the years. While challenges remain, we are committed to moving Papua New Guinea forward. I also commend the Government for passing the legislation to establish PNG’s first University of Medicine & Health Sciences, a landmark achievement that represents a significant step towards the future of healthcare education and workforce development in our country.”
Omega Manua
President, Pharmaceutical Society of Papua New Guinea
CPL has committed an estimated K150,000 to the scholarship program over the next three years. The investment will provide financial assistance to students pursuing pharmacy studies and reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to developing skilled healthcare professionals and strengthening pharmacy services throughout Papua New Guinea.
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