The greatest concern in the
development of sound sector policies and the formulation and
implementation of appropriate plans for nation-building has been the
lack of knowledge of the National Research Institute, its functions, and
its achievements, by national government departments, provincial
governments, local-level governments, donor agencies, and the private
sector. The Institute's considerable
contribution in addressing economic, educational, political, legal,
social, cultural, and environmental issues and problems has perhaps not
received due recognition
from the Government, or been given sufficient
coverage by the media.
The Institute's policy has traditionally been that, as a government funded statutory authority, its preoccupation should not be with publicity and the commercial aspects of research, policy, and planning. Rather, NRI has gone about its designated business of aiding the Government and its agencies with an efficient and inexpensive operation which has provided project and program expertise as and when required or requested.
However, this approach has consistently seen the Institute's expertise and experience passed over in favour of the employment of offshore commercial research organisations. The majority of the research, policy, and planning work that is done each year can be carried out by NRI, at considerable saving to the government, and would provide quality recommendations and solutions from researchers who have a moral commitment to their work, have the welfare of the nation at heart, and can work in partnership with the people.
It is with a great deal of pride and satisfaction that NRI has established a more commercially-orientated Institute and taken a more aggressive stand on the marketing of the Institute's research, consultancy, and publishing services.
The Institute is looking forward to increased cooperation, assistance, and collaboration with all organisations, in offering "investor knowledge" in relation to applied research, policies, planning initiatives and solutions, and appraisal, monitoring, evaluation and publishing services that are conducive to the development of human, social, economic, and business capital in Papua New Guinea.
We trust that through a collective commitment to the development and growth of the nation we will be able to establish a practical partnership which will be mutually beneficial for all concerned.
In 1961, The Australian National University opened its New Guinea Research Unit in Port Moresby, and over the years, up to 1975, produced an impressive body of research findings.
With independence in 1975, the research unit
became an independent statutory authority, reporting to National Parliament
as the Papua New Guinea Institute of Applied Social and Economic Research
(IASER).
The Institute continued its practical, policy-oriented research
programs, and expanded the scope of its reports to include monographs,
discussion papers, special reports, bibliographies, and indexes.
In 1988, in line with the national government’s higher education plans, the IASER (Amendment) Bill was introduced and saw the merging of the activities of the Institute of PNG Studies and the Education Research Institute (University of Papua New Guinea), with those of the Institute of Applied Social and Economic Research. As a result, the range of reports and publications was again expanded to include areas such as education, literature, social history, and music.
In 1989, Cabinet approved a name change, from IASER to the National Research Institute (NRI). The National Research Institute was confirmed by the Papua New Guinea IASER (Amendment) Act in May 1993, and is now an independent statutory authority.
NRI operates on a limited recurrent budget and competed with other public sector agencies for the allocation of funds to maintain its activities. External agencies such as UNDP, AusAID, the World Bank, ADB, JICA, GTZ, WHO, NZODA, and UNICEF have provided funding for short-term research and consultancy projects. The Institute has also entered into contracts with other government agencies, non-government organisations, and the private sector to carry out specific project research and field work.
The new millennium bought with it the need for the Institute to formulate an integrated, independent Business Plan which will see it fulfil its role as a government funded statutory authority, but assist in moving it towards being self-funding and self-sufficient. Revisions to the current NRI Act 1993 will take into account the new operational directions of the Institute.
Strategic Plan
The Institute launched its new Strategic Plan in 2006. The Strategic Plan sets out a broad framework including Operational Objectives and Guiding Principles to guide the Institute's operations. Click here to read more
Corporate Plan
The NRI Corporate Plan is a rolling three-year plan, developed after consultations with stakeholders. It prescribes specific outcomes and targets to achieve the objectives of the Strategic Plan. Click here to read more about the Corporate Plan 2006-2008
The Institute is governed by the NRI Council whose ten members are appointed by the Head of State. The Director of NRI is Dr. Thomas Webster. Dr. Webster is supported by expert research, publishing and administration staff. Click here to find out more about NRI Staffing.
Areas of Research and Consultancy Expertise
The Institute's major areas of research and consultancy are in the economic, educational, political, legal, social, cultural, environmental, publishing and editorial fields. The Institute is continually expanding its areas of coverage and interest, as well as adding further academic consultants to its register of preferred researchers. You can also view NRI publications and Completed Consultancies.
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