The impact of COVID-19 on Papua New Guinea's higher education

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a downward spiral in Papua New Guinea's (PNG) economy and caused a huge impact on the higher education system. The sudden closure of higher education institutions such as universities as a social distancing measure to prevent community transmission has shifted face-to-face classes to online learning systems. This approach focuses on utilising eLearning platforms to deliver contents and engage students. The eLearning platforms may have limitations of accessibility and affordability for many students due to the lack of technological advancement in PNG. The pandemic affected the current higher education system and forced more training of lecturers/tutors in the digital technology space to adapt to the rapidly changing education climate around the world. E-learning and virtual education are becoming integral to the post-pandemic higher education system. PNG's higher education institutions and universities need more planning for post-pandemic education to ensure student learning is of standards that promote quality.