About Us
Leaders for the future
The Modawa Institute of Higher Education brings higher learning to key caring vocations that serve the people of PNG and in particular Oro Province.
Combining the long standing institutions of Newton Theological College and St Margaret's School of Nursing, the institute will also incorporate the David Hand School of Teaching.
All of these disciplines come together under the symbol of the Modawa Tree, the New Guinea Rosewood, which has come to represent the growth of the church in Papua New Guinea, which from its earliest days, included education and healthcare alongside the training of ministers as at the heart of its mission.
Theological education began in New Guinea with an initiative by Bishop Newton in 1936. In 1952 A theological college was established in 1952 at Dogura. With the passing of the time, with the Anglican church of this country becoming an independent province within the Anglican Communion, it was decided to move Newton College to a new site near Popondetta. In 1976 land was cleared at Jonita and the building of the College’s present campus was begun.
St Margaret's School of Nursing was first established at Oro Bay, adjacent to St Margaret's Hospital. More recently it was relocated to be near the cathedral grounds at Popondetta. St Margaret's has trained and served the people of Oro Province in healthcare for decades.
In the 1960's Bishop David Hand had a vision for a Teacher's' College on what became the site of Newton College. The possibility of a Teachers' was named in the original mission lease for the and.
That dream continued and the possibility of a teachers' college for Oro Province has never entirely gone away. With encouragement from the Oro Provincial Government, and support from the Kokoda Track Foundation, that dream of Bishop David Hand is becoming a reality.
The Modawa Institute provides for the three disciplines of teaching, nursing and theology, to come together under one banner and sharing the same academic facilities. In sharing the foundational academic infrastructure, the Institute can provide students a better experience in learning.
Studying at the Modawa Institute
The Bishop Newton School of Theology offers:
- A Certificate in Theology.
- A Diploma in Ministry
- The Advanced Diploma in Theology.
The St Margaret's School of Nursing and Community Health offers:
- A Certificate in Community Health
- A Diploma in Nursing.
The Bishop David Hand School of Teaching offers:
- A Diploma in Teaching (Primary).
The Certificate in Theology is orientated towards lay leaders who want to develop their understanding of theology in their lay ministry context, whether within a church agency, school or other workplace.
The Diploma in Ministry is the primary qualification for those seeking to be ordained within the Anglican Church of PNG. It covers the essential theological foundations and also has a strong emphasis on ministry praxis. It includes a supervised ministry placement.
The Advanced Diploma is for students who show that they have the capacity to engage in greater theological depth and possibly to progress to further studies.
In accordance with PNG Government guidelines, entry to all courses requires completion of Year 12 or equivalent.
THE MODAWA INSTITUTE Library
The Modawa Institute has a Library of about 14000 volumes. There is a special emphasis on volumes that reflect Melanesian theology and history. The library is being expanded with holdings in education and health.
Student Amenities
Student accommodation
The Modawa Institute will cater for day students and students in residence. Ordination students are accommodated on campus. For married students, there are small cottages. For single male students there is a single room accommodation block, with shared kitchen and bathroom facilities. Accommodation for female students will continue to be located near the resurrection Cathedral, but a dedicated female dormitory will be buit on the campus.
All students have access to allocated gardens, where they may grow food to support themselves.
Student fees and bursaries.
For the current fee schedule, please email the college at:
Bursaries are available for ordination candidates from each of the dioceses of ACPNG. For more information about entry and bursaries, please use the email address above.
Chapel
Much of the life of the Modawa Institute revolves around the chapel as a place of gathering. The St Athanasius Chapel is a fine building and a place from which the voices of praise and prayer resonate across the chapel. All are welcome to join in worship, which is often led by students.