The Papua New Guinea University of Technology Ranked No 1 in PNG

 The Papua New Guinea University of Technology (Unitech, Lae) has been ranked the best university amongst six (6) Papua New Guinea universities according to UniRank. UniRank is an international higher education directory that reviews accredited universities and colleges in the world.

For the University, this is great news since it used to be third and second-best in the last couple of years but made its way to number one in August 2020.

With the current ranking, PNG University ranks are as follow:

1. University of Technology 
2. Divine Word University, 
3. The University of PNG, 
4. The University of Goroka, 
5. Pacific Adventist University and 
6. PNG University of Natural Resources and Environment.

The six universities are ranked based on the criteria that the university is; 

• being chartered, 
• licensed or 
• accredited by the appropriate Papua New Guinean higher education-related organization, offering at least four-year undergraduate degrees (bachelor degrees) or postgraduate degrees (master or doctoral degrees) and delivering courses predominantly in a traditional, face-to-face, non-distance education format.

According to the UniRank website, it aims to provide a non-academic comparison of achievements or merits by the higher learning institutions based on valid, unbiased and non-influenceable web metrics provided by independent web intelligence sources rather than data submitted by the Universities themselves.

PNG Unitech is also ranked first in the top universities on the Facebook category on UniRank with the most likes at 12, 798 (August statistics) followed by Divine Word University (8,753), Pacific Adventist University (8,462), PNG University of Natural Resources and Environment (7,039), University of Papua New Guinea (5,458) and University of Goroka (5,061).

Source: https://www.unitech.ac.pg/

Mathematics Exam Resources Website for PNG students and teachers

Your initiative (Mathematics Examination Resources website) is welcomed as an approach students can prepare themselves well ahead of examinations.

Consequently, the issues and challenges are briefly discussed to deepen members of the public perceptions of the examination papers, examination, teaching and learning, school curriculum, memorisation and thinking strategies.

Readers' note: The comments are by/from the former PNG Education Department Secretary Dr Michael Tapo in response to the new initiative we spearheaded - making online resources for teachers and students. We thank Dr Tapo for reaching out and for the comments below.

The math resource website is called Mathematics Examination Resources (MER). Here is why (The Reason) we created this Maths resource website. Take a look and let us know what you think.

An in-depth article from Dr Tapo was published on the PNG Insight parent website titled 'Thinking Strategies' Help Students Solve Problems' - read here.  

Immediate challenges in educational approaches

Central to all of the approaches taken, the century-long learning phenomenon of Thinking versus Memorising of facts in the late 1960s -1980s is worth revisiting. Approaches such as:

• students were routinised memorising of facts, and
• learn to remember and then display this in Grade 6, Grade 8, and Grade 10 examinations. 

When they fail to understand the examination questions and cannot remember the facts they fail to meet the achievement level for high school or tertiary and university education.

Problem Solving and Thinking Strategies

School education examination in Papua New Guinea (PNG) from 1975 to 2020 and beyond is all about Knowledge Gathering and Remembering and is significant and very much dependent on the quantity of teaching, quality of teaching, and teacher quality.  

The problem has been and continues to be so and is an urgent and acute problem associated very much to Problem Solving or best described as Thinking.

Almost all high and secondary school education in Papua New Guinea failed to focus Problem Solving Strategies. And have limited teaching and learning strategies that address the scientific approach (of teaching thinking strategies) required to solve problems.  Hence, its an apparent strategy and definite means to know the facts from knowledge and skills taught and learned in primary, high and secondary examinations.

We know revising for exams is important because it helps to stop anxiety and stress. We created a Maths website where you can download Grade 8, Grade 10 and Grade 12 General Maths and Advanced Maths Exam Papers. GET THEM HERE.

Importance of teaching the syllabus 

The amount of time spent in teaching and learning mathematics, Science and Grammar is interconnected to the number of multiple practices each child assumes in class in these subjects is significant to avoiding dependency on past and recent examination papers. 

The current culture of schooling and learning is dependent on schools and teachers must teach children more and make them work harder to increase their information on the level of knowledge and skills planned around the subject learning being learned.  

Foremost, the level of individual child intelligence and termly achievements in a subject learning area must be corrected with the facts (knowledge and skills acquisition). Students primarily learn best if they can remember these facts. 

Knowledge and skills being examined 

The ambiguity of language and phrases used in the past and more recent examination papers indicate the facts of knowledge and skills being examined can or could lead to confusion.

Some questions can mislead students to select or choose to answer a question in future examinations because of a similar question and answer from the past examination papers and likely answer that is expected in the 2020 or 2021 examination papers.

The quest for high and secondary examinations is placing more emphasis on the thinking strategies which lead children to creativity, problem-solving, inquiry, and critical approach to thinking in a subject learning area being learned. 

Expectations and clarity of examinations 

Papua New Guinea children in the 21st Century must be encouraged and have a voice in determining what is taught in the National Curriculum, what is examined and the rules applied to assessing and measuring of facts in knowledge and skills in examinations.

Quality of teaching and teacher quality needs major shifts towards thinking strategies and say goodbye to the current heavily dependent ideology of the 'chalk-talk and certainty principle which is central to the there is a right and wrong answer to every question! 

Dr Michael F Tapo, EdD 

Grade 8 Online Skill MCQ Test and Answers | Quick Feedback

Grade 8 Online Skill MCQ Test and Answers is a quick test and feedback online assessment.  The online MCQ test is an addition to the Grades 8, 10 and 12 Exam Papers for Free Download initiative on our new Math Exam Resource website. 

Check it out

This earlier post ( Grade 8, 10 and 12 Math Exam Resource) gives more info about the different features of the website.

We announce three (3) new features. In an effort to help students perform well in mathematics examinations in Papua New Guinea, we:

(i) developed an Online Skill Test for Grade 8 Students, 

(ii) compiled past exam papers (10 years collection) for Grade 8, 10 and 12 students to download for free and revise for mathematics examinations, and

(iii) arranged Grade 10 Exam questions (2010 - 2014) by PNG School Syllabus Unit where students can revise by unit/topic in preparation for the mathematics exam. 

This is an independent initiative of PNG Insight. We do this in our free time. And, want our readers to be part of it. Be part of our initiative for the benefit of our children.

Visit PNG Mathematics Exam Resources for Grades 8, 10 and 12 Teachers and Students.

We know revising for exam is important because it helps to stop anxiety and stress. We created a Maths website where you can download Grade 8, Grade 10 and Grade 12 Mx General Maths and Advanced Maths Exam Papers. GET THEM HERE.

UNITECH and UoG Yearly STAT-P Test - Is it Necessary?

The PNG University of Technology (UNITECH) and the University of Goroka (UoG) are the only tertiary institutions running the Special Tertiary Admission Test (STAT) where candidates must book and pay a fee of K100 to sit the test. 

The two universities WILL ONLY CONSIDER grade 12 school leavers who sit the test.

1. Grade 12 School Leavers (SLs) 2020

The PNG University of Technology (UOT) will only consider applications of Grade 12 School Leavers (SLs) who sit the STAT P test in November 2020.

2. Grade 12 School Leavers (SLs) 2020 and Pre-Service Non-School Leavers

The University of Goroka (UOG) will only consider applications of Grade 12 School Leavers (SLs) and Pre-Service Non-School Leavers who sit the STAT P test in November 2020.

Here are some points/questions I have for discussion.

•  Is this STAT-P mandatory? If so, why is it that other tertiary institutions are not conducting it?

• If a very bright straight-A student does not sit this test, will he or she be denied a space because he/she did not sit the test?

• On the other extreme, how about all the applicants to these two universities who sit the test but miss out on selection. What is the justification for collecting their K100 fess?

• How will these two universities reach all secondary schools in the country, those in very remote schools, how will such students sit this expensive test?

• Can the two universities (UNITECH and UoG) explain to the public about the importance of this test and how it will benefit these students over students in other institutions whose students don’t sit the test?

• Is there any good reason why the government should not intervene in this expensive and unfair activity?

The post was originally posted on the Facebook discussion group by John Wanis.

IS STAT-P TEST NECESSARY ENTRY TEST FOR PNG INSTITUTIONS? Share your experiences and opinions. Leave a comment below.

EXAM RESOURCE FOR GRADE 8, 10 and 12 STUDENTS | Download Old Exam Papers

We know times are hard. Schools have been struggling this year. That is why we made this website - PNG Maths Exam Resources (MER) Website.

SEE LINK IN THE ARTICLE

PNG Insight created this website to give teachers and students the opportunity to access materials - especially revision materials  old exam papers for Mathematics Examinations - with ease. It is a community service as such the resources are made available for FREE.

The website is mobile friendly and interactive, which means you can take some tests online and get the scores and feedback at the end of the test. 

Features of PNG Insight's MER

 We had some great features to enhance math exam revision. Some of them include:

• Old Exam Papers for Grades 8. 10 and 12 students to download
• Online Practice Test Questions with Answers. Feedback is also provided at the end of each test.
• Teachers Mathematics revision resources for use with students 
• Education department Apps and Links to on-demand webpages
• Maths Examinations Tips and Guides

Latest features of MER: Online Skill Practice Test and Answers

There are two latest additions to the MER website. First, the Basic Numeracy Skill Online Test/Assessment. It is basically a check-point of the functional ability (learnt skill) of students at upper primary and lower secondary schools - Grades 5 - 8. 

There are 50 multiple choice questions arranged by difficulty level from low to high. The test is split into 4 parts - each takes less than 5 minutes to do. See it here.

Latest features of MER: Free Download of Grade 10 Old Exam Questions & Answers (2010 - 2014 Math Exam Qtn Compilation)

 The second feature is the compilation of 2010 - 2014 Math Exam Questions by Unit. Free to download and use. Great for both teachers and students at Grade 10 

If your child, a sibling, friend or someone you know is in Grade 10 encourage them to check out the past exam papers and revision materials on the *new* website, MER. 

The resource booklet is 33 pages, but quick to download as the PDF was compressed to just 3.45 MB (from a 16.9 MB). 

It is watermarked to protect the originality of the document. If you want to remove the watermark and use it in class or for other educational purposes, please email us at info@pnginsight.com

Visit the Grade 12 General math and Advanced math old exam papers pages here> GM/AM revision materials

Please do share the work or leave a comment. Enjoy!

UOG/Unitech Stat P Test Booking 2023

STAT P is a 2-hour, 10-minute exam that assesses verbal and quantitative reasoning skills. Specific subject knowledge is not tested in this exam. For information on how to prepare for the test, refer to the 'Prepare' section of this website.

RECOMMENDED READ: IS STAT-P TEST NECESSARY ENTRY TEST FOR PNG INSTITUTIONS? Share your experiences and opinions

Stat P test booking 2023 Test Dates

Note that the dates are based on 2019 - 2021 dates, so check your deputy principles for the latest dates

Test Dates 9 - 13 November

Please note, not all locations will run tests on all days.

Test Locations

Alotau, Buka, Daru Island, Goroka, Kavieng, Kimbe, Kiunga, Kokopo, Lae, Lorengau, Madang, Mendi, Mt Hagen, Popondetta, Port Moresby, Vanimo and Wewak.

Stat P Test Fee

K100 (to be paid AFTER booking).

This fee is non-refundable. Payments are due by 25 October 2020. Late payments cannot be accepted.

Payment queries should be directed to the STAT P Officer stat-p@pnguot.ac.pg. Queries should include your full name, STAT ID and a photo of your white, printed bank receipt.

Communications with STAT Office

All applicant communications from ACER will be through the ACER Account Messaging System.

Once applicants have created their ACER Account (part of the test booking process) they will have access to this messaging system.

To access 'Messages', login into your ACER User Account and click on the 'Messages' option at the top of the page.

Emails will only be sent if a valid email address has been provided in your ACER User Account. Emails are additional to messages sent to your ACER Account Messaging System. 

You can add an email address to your ACER Account yourself. Please see the Register webpage for details. Email addresses must be successfully validated before ACER will send communications to them. 

When you add an email address to your account, the system will automatically send you an email to 'validate your ACER account'. You must click on the link in the email to validate your account.

Requirements for entry to 2022 courses

• Grade 12 School Leavers (SLs) 2020

The PNG University of Technology (UOT) will only consider applications of Grade 12 School Leavers (SLs) who sit the STAT P test in November 2020.

• Grade 12 School Leavers (SLs) 2020 and Pre-Service Non-School Leavers

The University of Goroka (UOG) will only consider applications of Grade 12 School Leavers (SLs) and Pre-Service Non-School Leavers who sit the STAT P test in November 2020.

• A Pre-Service Non-School Leaver is a person who completed grade 12 in a previous year but did not gain a place at any university yet.

This test is not for postgraduate, In-service or PDGE students.

University Admission/Selection Queries

UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY LAE

For more information on admission to UOT or the selection process, please contact UOT directly:

Willeanna Gull (STAT P Officer): 

Phone 473 4286 or 473 4289 (8am - 4pm on weekdays) 

Email stat-p@pnguot.ac.pg

UNIVERSITY OF GOROKA

For more information on admission to UOG or the selection process, please contact UOG directly:

Yali Negere: Phone 531 1735 or Email: statpenquiries@uog.ac.pg

For information on how to book or 2019 STAT P test results, refer to their website.

UPNG Online Application System - Enrollment 2023/2024

The University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG), informs prospective applicants that the Online Application System for receiving applications for Undergraduate, and Post Graduate programs is offered by the University.

Click here to get the latest on UPNG Online Application System 2023/2024

The University will consider applications from the following categories of candidates:

General Criteria for Non-School Leavers 

1. Candidates who have completed diploma or degree programs from recognized institutions within the country or overseas;
2. Candidates who have met the National Matriculation Requirements from recognized National and Secondary High Schools or that equivalent level prior to 2020;
3. Professional candidates applying to specific programs that are on offer under professional study programs and related to their current job experience and description;
4. Candidates who have attained a diploma from a recognised college or university under an affiliated program with UPNG;
5. International and South Pacific Islanders may apply using this form. Admissions to UPNG will depend on the fixed quota that is reserved for the such category; and
6. Candidates who have withdrawn or excluded from studies for academic and disciplinary reasons and are eligible to re-enrol in Semester 1/2021.

General Criteria for School Leavers

PNG citizens completing Year 12 in overseas countries such as Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific countries are encouraged to apply. 

If in doubt regarding this arrangement, please seek assistance from the Selection Unit of the Department of Higher Education, Research, Science, and Technology (DHERST);

Students currently undertaking Grade 12 studies at National and Secondary High Schools in PNG will apply through the DHERST Online application. 

Please see specific eligibility criteria for each program, which are available with the details of each programme.

 Limitation of Admission

Because of limited places and resources, the University can only admit a limited number of new students into various programs of study. As a result, competition is very high and priority is given to those with higher GPAs. Those seeking enrolment must satisfy the admission requirements of the University.

2. Application for Enrollment Instructions

Applicants are hereby requested to take note of the following instructions

1. Pay a (K20.00 for Undergraduate & Honours) and (K50.00 for Masters and PhD programmes of all schools except for School of Business and Public Policy) non-refundable application processing fee, to UPNG General Account No: 1000583572 BSP, (WAIGANI) before applying online. Make sure to indicate your name and correct date of deposit on the deposit slip when paying.
2. Applicants to School of Business and Public Policy (SBPP) Post Graduate programs must refer to SBPP Post Graduate advertisement on the UPNG website for application processing fee and eligibility criteria. Call Lisa on 3267 299 for more information.
3. Before choosing your program of choice, read through our admission and eligibility requirements and criteria for all our programs.
4. Follow the steps as indicated on the online form, fill in the blanks and submit your application online. No attachment is required in the Online Application.
5. After submitting your application online, scan your documents into a single compressed PDF file and send: to the school of your choice email address indicated below. For example, if you have applied Online for Science Foundation Year, email your documents to School of Natural & Physical Sciences email. Indicate and label the file appropriately under your name and the specific program applied to before sending/emailing.

♦ School of Business & Public Policy Application: mn_sbpp@upng.ac.pg

♦ School of Humanities & Social Sciences: mb_shss@upng.ac.pg

♦ School of Natural & Physical Sciences: gv_snps@upng.ac.pg

♦ School of Medicine & Health Sciences: rk_smhs@upng.ac.pg

♦ School of Law: mt_sol@upng.ac.pg

6. Successful candidates will be notified through email and by post by Mid-December, together with the successful School Leavers.
7. If your name is not on the Final List, it means that your application for admission is unsuccessful.
8. All information regarding Fees, Registration & Orientation will be included in the acceptance letter.
9. Manual Applications without any record of online submission will not be considered.

Authorized by:

The Acting Registrar

Ms. Eshwin Enoch

Contact the registrar or visit UPNG's website for the latest information on the Online Application System and  Enrollment for 2023/2024

ITI PNG List of Campuses (International Training Institute - Papua New Guinea)

International Training Institute (ITI) has 10 campuses ( and 1 distance learning centre) in Papua New Guinea. 

They provide a variety of entry (certificate) courses in IT, Human Resource Management and accounting. 

ITI Diploma Programs are accredited by DHERST.

Check out 2024 ITI Non-School Leavers (NSL) Selection List here.

Contact the campus nearest to you if you need information on 2024 application forms, acceptance lists, registrations and admission, and courses. More information on ITI courses and Fees is here.

1. ITI POM CAMPUS

Scratchley Road, Badili

PO Box 6322, BOROKO, NCD

Ph: 320 2800 Fax: 320 0513

Mob: 7050 6997 | 7685 0523

Email: enquires@iti.ac.pg

2. ITI LAE CAMPUS

Steamships Property, Sletjford Street,

Building 03, Sect 30, Lot #01, Unit #01,

PO Box 618, LAE, MOROBE PROVINCE,

Phone: 472 2790 Fax: 472 0199

Mobile: 7342 8032 | 7577 8757

Email: enquires.lae@iti.ac.pg

3. ITI KIMBE CAMPUS

Morokea Town,

PO Box 694, KIMBE

West New Britain,

Phone: 983 4922 and 942 0049

Fax: 983 5873

Mob: 7484 8828, 70255072

Email: enquires.kimbe@iti.ac.pg

4. ITI BUKA CAMPUS

Seville House, North Bougainville,

Autonomous Region of Bougainville,

PO Box 704, BUKA Island, AROB,

Mobile: 7162 5486

Email: enquires.kokopau@iti.ac.pg

5. ITI ALOTAU CAMPUS

Education Milne Bay, Waigili Centre,

PO Box 142, ALOTAU,

Milne Bay Province,

Phone: 641 1223

Mob: 7613 7253 | 7079 0821

Email: enquires.alotau@iti.ac.pg

6. ITI KAVIENG CAMPUS

Section 44, Lot 06, Crescent Street,

Court Road, KAVIENG TOWN,

New Ireland Province.

PO Box 356, KAVIENG. Phone: 984 2703  Mobile: 7077 7099

Email: enquires.kavieng@iti.ac.pg

7. ITI GOROKA CAMPUS

Okuk Highway, Opp.Mt.Sion,

PO Box 534, GOROKA,

Eastern Highlands Province

Phone: 532 2887 Fax: 532 2853

Mobile: 7487 0657 | 7619 7939

Email: enquires.goroka@iti.ac.pg

8. ITI HAGEN CAMPUS

Corner Pena & Moka Place, Hagen Town

PO Box 377, MT.HAGEN,

Western Highland Province,

Phone: 542 1276  Mob: 7389 0468 | 7527 2549  Email: enquires.hagen@iti.ac.pg

9. ITI MANUS CAMPUS

White Haus,

Section 43, Lot 4, Ward 2,

PO Box 39, LORENGAU TOWN,

Manus Province.

Phone: 946 0063 Mobile: 7656 1472 / 7935 2388

Email: enquires.manus@iti.ac.pg

10. ITI KIUNGA CAMPUS

Town Centre, Council Chamber Building,

PO Box 148, KIUNGA, Western Province.

Phone: 649 2965 Mob: 7951 7982 | 7340 6163

Email: enquires.kiunga@iti.ac.pg

11.   ITI ENB Distance Centre

JR Holdings Building, Gumur Service Station, Second Floor, 1st Room,

PO Box 1200, KOKOPO, East New Britain.

Mobile: 7295 0131  Fax: 320 0513

Email: enquires.kokopo@iti.ac.pg

International Training Institute (ITI) PNG

ITI was established in March 1999 to provide affordable and quality education for the people of Papua New Guinea. It started at the rented office space in Ori Lavi Haus in Boroko NCD with two rooms one being the office and another room being a computer lab with seven computers.

ITI initially offered certificate courses in computing and had its first intake with 30 students in 1999. It gradually moved to bigger premises within Ori Lavi Haus due to an increase in student numbers. 

Within 3 years ITI had also established an institute affiliation with Queensland Institute Business and Technology (QIBT) to offer the Certificate IV program in Business.

ITI has established another affiliation with the University of Southern Queensland within a short period to offer a first-year bachelor's degree program in business. 

This arrangement helped us to gain experience in the way the Australian system of education is managed. This in turn led us to improve our internal process and our quality for the future.

ITI PNG aims and objectives

ITI aims to provide education at the doorstep and this led us to provide education in other centres that are rarely visited by other private institutes in PNG.

With this in mind, ITI opened our first campus in Lae in 2004 due to demand in the other parts of PNG. ITI went on to establish 11 student centres in PNG.

ITI is accredited with DHERST 

ITI was granted full institute accreditation by the Ministry for Higher Education, Research Science, and Technology in the year 2013.

The enrollment number of students surpassed the 1,000 milestone in 2003 whilst in the year 2017, the number of students exceeded 4,000.

In 2018, ITI introduced a new Higher Diploma program and the duration of the study is for 2 years. These programs are approved by the Department of Higher Education Science and Technology (DHERST).

Recommended study opportunities in PNG

• Simbu Teachers College
• Gaulim Teachers College
• Madang Teachers College
• Sonoma Adventist College
• St Barnabas Nursing College

PNG PM Demands Thorough Investigation into Cocaine Plane Crash in PNG

Prime Minister James Marape Official Statement

Prime Minister James Marape tasked PNG police and Australian Police to get detail report on the plane that crash-landed outside of Port Moresby.

Australian and PNG police have been demanded by Prime Minister James Marape for investigation and prosecution on all involved in the plane that crash-landed outside of Port Moresby.

Plane crash at Papa (Inset: Police recover drugs from hidden location)

“ It really concerns me that an unmarked small craft flew into PNG airspace and landed in an important resource project area of our country. We are not a banana republic where anyone can pick up a plane and just come into PNG unannounced” PM Marape said.

The flight is suspicious and it requires both Australia and PNG authority to ascertain who owns the plane, who flew the plane and what was the cargo, from sketchy indication. Police Commissioner David Manning indicated possible drug trafficking and both Australian federal police and PNG police were monitoring this flight.

Prime Minister Marape whilst demanding detail report and prosecution for this criminal flight, cautions all in the drug business that his Government will increase the penalty of drug traffickers to possibly life imprisonments or heavier penalties.

“ We will have no place for those who think they could peddle drugs in PNG. The pilot is an important link to the cartel behind this drug business and I have instructed police commissioner that he will not leave PNG until the appropriate penalty is served and all other evidence is adduced.” PM Marape says.

He commended the work done thus far but stressed that there are both PNG side players as well as Australian players, I demand nothing short but top scale investigation to put behind bars those involved in this illegal trade.

Prime Minister James Marape Official Statement

Papua New Guinea

1st August 2020 

RELATED READ: 

Police Identified Route Used by Drug Cartels in Papua New Guinea