Opportunities to last a lifetime

Victoria University (VU) graduate and Australia Awards alumni Clera Sam encourages more Papua New Guineans to consider an overseas study experience.

Clera completed a Master of Digital Media at VU, building on a communications degree majoring in journalism from the Divine Word University in Madang. Clera says she enrolled in the masters to improve her options after working as a journalist, news presenter and a press secretary.

I believe that having such a qualification from a world-recognised university like VU will help me develop my career in the electronic media and make an impact in my field, and will open new doors to employment opportunities.

"The course required me to work on a lot of practical projects based on real issues affecting the community. We built apps that supported awareness campaigns for the Drug and Alcohol Foundation. We also developed a virtual reality wellness program to support people undergoing cancer treatment at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre.”

Clera says she is grateful for the many opportunities afforded to her inside and outside the classroom. "The University is really committed to helping students gain professional development and leadership opportunities.

"For example, I was president of the VU Public Speaking Club in 2018 and was also involved in the University's volunteering program, VU Vollies, where I assisted in many volunteering events in the local community," she says. "I also attended free Mandarin classes – these are just some of the many opportunities VU provides.

“I encourage more young people to take up these opportunities to better equip themselves in a fast-changing world.”

Clera has returned to Papua New Guinea, where she is now the Media and Public Relations Officer at PNG’s Department of Lands and Physical Planning.