06/07/2025
๐๐น๐๐บ๐ป๐ถ ๐ ๐ผ๐ป๐ฑ๐ฎ๐ ๐ณ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ป๐ฑ๐ฎ ๐๐ฎ๐น๐ฎ๐ด๐ฎ๐๐ถ: ๐๐ง๐๐ฆ๐ฉ๐ฅ๐จ๐ฒ๐๐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐๐จ-๐๐๐: ๐๐๐ ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐๐ง'๐ฌ ๐๐ซ๐๐๐ง ๐๐๐ฏ๐จ๐ฅ๐ฎ๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง
Wewak, East Sepik Provinceโ Brenda Balagawi, a graduate of the Master of Science in Environmental Science program, has established herself as a woman entrepreneur in Papua New Guinea, founding EcoBiota Enviromental Services. Residing in Wewak, her journey highlights her entrepreneurial drive in establishing a consultancy focused on environmental education and addressing local environmental impacts, with future plans to create employment opportunities within her home province.
Ms. Balagawi attended Bugandi High School/Secondary and the University of Papua New Guinea. Born in East Sepik Province and raised in Lae, Morobe Province, she pursued her postgraduate studies in the Philippines from 2014 to 2017 at the University of San Carlos in Cebu City. Ms. Balagawi was a self-sponsored student, with her parents and herself covering the fees for her studies.
Studying abroad contributed significantly to Ms. Balagawi's personal growth and development, particularly in fostering an entrepreneurial mindset. "Coming to the Philippines to study had given me a wider and broader perspective on things like education, business, and innovation," she noted. "I became a different person after I graduated because I have discovered that there is so much I can do with the knowledge and skills I have now. (for example, A Coconut Tree is a tree but I can do so many things with that one plant.)." She attributes her increased confidence and self-reliance to her time away from home and family, which now significantly aids her career as an entrepreneur.
Upon returning to PNG, Ms. Balagawi faced a primary obstacle: employment opportunities. "Finding jobs in Papua New Guinea is very challenging," she recounted. To overcome this, she initially worked as a volunteer with a church organization in 2018 then was given a Communication and Media Director position in 2021 which she served till 2023 where she left and started her entrepreneur journey. This experience, coupled with her entrepreneurial drive, led to the pivotal decision to establish her own business. Her approach to overcoming this challenge is to "keep trying and also start up something you can do whilst job hunting." This initiative directly led to the establishment of her small and medium-sized enterprise (SME).
Currently, Ms. Balagawi runs her own environmental business, EcoBiota Enviromental Services, where she works as a consultant. Her postgraduate studies in the Philippines, which involved extensive research work and presentations, equipped her with crucial research and consultation skills for her current role. The most rewarding part of her work is its focus on environmental education and its direct impact on communities. "My business is focused on environmental education, and it is satisfying when I help clients learn to solve issues they face from environmental impacts around them," she shared.
Beyond her business, Ms. Balagawi is deeply involved in community development and social projects, embodying her commitment to women's empowerment and environmental stewardship. She participates in Church programs with youth, children, and women, actively engaging in "women in leadership programs" Her advice to other PNG students who want to make a difference is to "Use your skills, talents, or what you are passionate about to help those in the communities close to you." Starting a business should not only focus on money, you must be purpose driven to help provide options to solve a problem and that's where people will support your dream." When we share, we continue to expand our knowledge and skills."
Looking ahead five years, Ms. Balagawi envisions her business to become an educational organization. Her dream is to "help open up employment opportunities to those interested in working in the business," directly contributing to job creation in PNG. Graduating as a postgrad confirmed her as a professional with specific skills and knowledge in her field, providing a sense of accomplishment and pride that fuels her entrepreneurial drive.
For students considering further education through an agency, Ms. Balagawi offers a personal message: "Take the risk and explore while you still have the chance. Life evolves and we age over time. When you have the opportunity to study abroad, take it and go. You may never know what is waiting for you out there.โ
Brenda Balagawi's journey from a postgraduate student to a self-employed environmental consultant exemplifies how international education and personal initiative can lead to impactful contributions, job creation, and women's empowerment in Papua New Guinea.
Paradise International Education Consultancy (PIEC) assists students in enrolling in universities in the Philippines. Interested students and parents can WhatsApp PIEC at +63 917 167 1089.