A groundbreaking ceremony was held on June 5, 2025, for the future site of Southern Highlands Adventist College in Papera, Mendi District, Papua New Guinea.

An initiative of local church members, the college will be affiliated with Sonoma Adventist College and is intended to provide faith-based education to students in the region.

Papua New Guinea Union Mission President and Sonoma Adventist College Chairman Malachi Yani officiated the ceremony and delivered a keynote address, highlighting the role of education in promoting both spiritual growth and community development.

Western Highlands Mission Chief Financial Officer Roger Nori and church member Ruth Yang also spoke at the event, encouraging the college’s potential impact on the local community.

“The college campus is expected to support academic achievement while nurturing Christian values among students,” said Bunya District Elder Joseph Wandi, who has been involved in initiating the project.

Community members, church representatives, and stakeholders gathered to celebrate the occasion, which they described as a significant step toward expanding educational opportunities in the Southern Highlands Province.

The Southern Highlands Adventist College project is part of the broader mission of the South Pacific Division of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, which oversees Adventist work in Papua New Guinea, Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands. The division supports efforts to improve access to quality education rooted in Christian values throughout the region.

The original article was published on the South Pacific Division news site, Adventist Record. Join the ANN WhatsApp Channel for the latest Adventist news.