Hon. Benjamin Mul, M.Edu, MP for North Waghi, Jiwaka Province

About Hon. Benjamin Mul, M.Edu, MP for North Waghi, Jiwaka Province

The biography of Benjamin Ngents Mul is deeply intertwined with the history and mission of the Waigani Christian College (WCC), an institution he founded to provide educational opportunities to others.

An Educational Vocation

Benjamin Mul's own educational journey profoundly influenced his decision to establish the college:
• Overcoming Early Setbacks: Born in Kaming village, he dropped out of school at an early age. He later renewed his studies, gaining admission to the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) through their adult matriculation program, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in social work. He also holds a Master’s degree in Education Leadership from Divine Word University.
• Founding the College: As a devout Christian and teacher, Mul established the WCC in 1993 in Port Moresby. It began as a small Christian pre-school.
• Mission of Second Chance: Drawing from his personal experience, Mul established the WCC's core mission: giving a "second chance" to students who had dropped out or failed to gain entry into the formal education system. The college accepts students into higher grades, such as Grade 9 and Grade 11, who would otherwise miss out on continuing their secondary education.

The College's Growth and Vision

Under Mul's directorship and principalship, the college experienced significant expansion:
• Growth and Impact: Starting from a humble beginning with a small number of students, the institution has grown into a comprehensive school offering education from Kindergarten up to Grade 12. By its 30th Anniversary, the college had reportedly provided quality education to over 50,000 students.
• Core Values: Mul ensures that the school is guided by strong Christian values, integrating faith-based principles into the curriculum to promote discipline, respect, and moral integrity.
• Recognition and Expansion: The college has been publicly commended by Prime Minister James Marape as a shining example of private sector contribution to education. Furthermore, the Education Minister has elevated WCC to an early childhood teachers' college, and Mul has announced plans to expand the institution into a fully-fledged University to meet the growing need for higher education in PNG.

Developer of a Tertiary Institution (Waigani Christian College)

Mul's most significant contribution to tertiary education is his ambitious plan to transition the Waigani Christian College (WCC), which he founded, into a university.
• Establishing a University Campus: On November 2025, WCC has recently been elevated to a higher education institution status . WCC entered a partnership with the Philippine Christian University (PCU). This collaboration allows WCC to function as the PCU-PNG Campus, offering internationally accredited online degree programs to local students.
• Addressing School Leaver Crisis: This initiative directly addresses the challenge in PNG where a large number of Grade 12 school-leavers miss out on limited placements at existing universities. By providing an alternative, affordable, and quality tertiary pathway, Mul is significantly expanding the country's higher education capacity.
• Teacher Education: Beyond the university partnership, WCC is also focusing on Early Childhood Teacher Education, establishing a program that aligns with PNG's national education policies for training future teachers.
• Vision for the Future: Mul's ultimate goal is for the institution to meet all requirements and eventually operate fully as the PNG Christian University, providing degree-granting programs under its own charter.

Political Advocate for Student Financial Support

As the Member of Parliament for North Waghi Open, Mul has made supporting tertiary students in his electorate a key priority.
• Tuition Fee Assistance: Following his re-election, Mul announced a substantial commitment, reportedly a tuition fee assistance program, to help students from his electorate attend colleges and universities.
• National Policy Advocacy: Mul has used his platform in Parliament to question the Minister for Higher Education on the possibility of increasing the government's support for tertiary education, advocating for a potential 100% government subsidy on university fees to reduce the financial burden on parents.
Through both his direct investment in the Waigani Christian College and his political efforts to fund student education, Benjamin Mul has demonstrated a deep, continuous commitment to expanding access to higher learning opportunities in PNG.
Mul's achievement in building the WCC from "ground zero" into a major educational institution is often highlighted as an inspiring success story of a private citizen developing human resources in Papua New Guinea.