Unified five-point Grade Point Average (GPA) system for all PNG Universities

All universities in the country will implement a unified five-point Grade Point Average (GPA) system this year, an official says.

Chairman of PNG vice-chancellors Professor Musawe Sinebare said the five-point GPA system was designed to be used by all universities, starting with new intakes this year.

The new system is to replace the four-point GPA system when second-year students this year graduate in 2023.

“The Department of Higher Education, Research Science and Technology is aware of the new system,” he said.

The University of Goroka senate last year endorsed the new GPA system for all new students this year to be assessed under.

It is designed to give students with good grades a better chance of securing scholarships, something not possible with the four-point GPA system. The new system was designed by the vice-chancellors and presidents committee to enable students to move between universities.

Grades earned at one university will be recognised in another university.

“Students who accumulate credits from one or more universities can graduate from another university undertaking programmes of studies in a university because of the common credit points,” Sinebare said.

Source: This report appears in the National Newspaper on the 4th of January 2021

Articles relevant to PNG students and their GPAs

• How to calculate GPA
• GPA for PNG Universities

Carnivorous Plants from Kew Gardens, London

In Papua New Guinea, carnivorous plants are commonly seen growing among the grasses, especially the 'Kunai' grasses, in the highlands and in many other parts of the country.

Photo taken at Kew Garden

Carnivorous plants common in PNG

These stunning plants are also found in the wild in the coastal areas - growing on the small hills, near the red clay soils and abandoned gardens.

I have never thought they could make really good house plants until I saw these familiar, but bizarre plants at the Kew Gardens in London. These plants are growing in a glasshouse where it is humid and tropical.

Here is a story of a Papua New Guinean working with the Kew Garden teams - read about it here on PNG Writers Corner.

What is what Kew say about the carnivorous plants

These plants come from a wide range of different landscapes and climates but all have evolved weird and wonderful adaptations to trap and consume prey. 

The prey they trap helps to provide the plant with nutrients they would otherwise find hard to obtain in their natural habitats and helps to keep them healthy and strong. 

Video on my visit to Kew Gardens

Have you seen these plants?

Have you seen the carnivorous plants growing in the village or near where you are? Let us know if you have seen them - comment below.

Lae School of Nursing Application 2024 and Admission Info

Non-school leavers who want to apply to the Lae School of Nursing for 2024, the application is NOW ONLINE. PNG Insight understands that in the past the nursing college used to accept the application form in PDF. However, the Lae School of Nursing is now going online. They have a brand new website and are accepting applications online.

The best thing to do is to apply online.

How to apply to Lae School of Nursing for 2024?

The information below is all you need to know to apply successfully as a non-school leaver (NSL). Read on to find out.

Check out the information on GPA for Lae School of Nursing, click here

To apply to Lae School of Nursing:

• Visit this URL (It will take to you the college's website) https://www.laeschoolofnursing.com/non-school-leaver-online-application
• Click on the 'Apply Now' Button
• Fill in the Google Form & complete the application for 2024.

Check out all the colleges and university information for non-school leavers applying to study next year.

Requirements to Apply online to Lae School of Nursing

• All applicants are required to have a Gmail account in order to access the online application. You can create one if you don't already have one. This is so we can automate immediate confirmation notifications to your Gmail account as well as store your data for future reference concerning applications. If you are not already signed in to your Gmail account, you will be asked to before you can fill in your online application

• You will only be allowed a single application per Gmail account. After you submit it, you will not be able to submit another application.

• However, you will be able to edit your submitted application for the remainder of the application duration. Meaning that when the application closes, you will not be able to do any edits to your application

The Closing Date of the Online Application is usually in July. 

Nursing Program at Lae School of Nursing 

The Lae School of Nursing offers three (3) year's Diploma in General Nursing. 

The course curriculum is based on PNG Nursing competency standards as a benchmark which a student must achieve in the following areas of knowledge, skills and attitudes.

During the first two (years) of training, year one and two students are sent to urban clinics, Angau Hospital and rural communities to gain clinical experiences.

In the third year of study, students do their clinical practices at Angau Memorial General Hospital and Lae urban clinics. For rural block practicums, students are usually sent to rural health facilities in Morobe, Madang and Highlands Provinces for 8 weeks.

The academic program in a year has two semesters. Semester 1 begins in February and ends in June and 2nd semester begins in July and ends in November. 

Course fees

Teaching and learning facilities

The campus has teaching and learning facilities which have, two-story buildings; one located on the southern end caters for, on the 2nd floor has three lecture rooms and the ground floor has two practical laboratories and a tutorial room. 

The second academic building, on the 2nd floor, caters for a library, ICT, conference room and post-graduate midwifery course practical and lecture rooms and academic staff office. 

On the ground floor, it has a kitchen & dining hall, administration office and academic staff office.

Lae School of Nursing Acceptance list

The acceptance list for Lae School of Nursing for non-school leavers and school leavers will come out before the academic year starts. 

• The non-school leavers who applied straight to the Lae School of Nursing will have to check the institution for the non-school leavers' acceptance list 2024. This list will also be published by DHERST on its website together with the final TESAS list before the academic year starts
• As for the Grade 12 school leavers who applied through the National Online Application System (NOAS), check the higher education website for the DHERST Acceptance List 2024.

If you have any questions, check out this link for information on selection dates and acceptance lists for tertiary institutions in PNG.

About Lae School of Nursing

The Lae School of Nursing is an affiliated college with the PNG University of Technology. It was established by the Australian Government under the Ministry of Health in 1964. 

From 1965 up to 1980, it ran several different nursing programs: 

• Nurse Aid Training and Hospital nursing, 
• Community health nursing,
• Community health worker training, and 
• Certificate in General Nursing. 

The GN certificate program was upgraded to the Diploma of Nursing in 2001. The first intake for the Diploma of General Nursing was in 2002.

In 2004, the course program was transferred to PNG Unitech and the first Graduates were in 2005 after the Students successfully completed three years of studies. The Diploma of General Nursing qualification was conferred by PNG University of Technology Lae.

The school is situated 30 meters away from the main town shopping Centre and 30km from the Nazab airport (Lae) and three minutes walk down steps to Angau Memorial Hospital.

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This information is compiled for non-school leavers wanting to study at Lae Nursing College next year. For more information please visit the college's website. 

Study at DODL UoT 2024 Application Form, admission and course information

 DODL Application UoT Pathway: The Department of Distance Learning (DODL) at the University of Technology (UoT/Unitech) is an important partway for Non-school leavers who want to pursue a study at UNITECH.

UoT/Unitech Non-school leavers & DODL selections

The grade 12 students and undergraduates selections fall into three main categories of applications: 

• Grade 12 School Leavers, 
• Matriculation/DODL, and 
• Non-school leavers

The School Leavers are the Grade 12 students whose selection is done by DHERST (Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology) and passed onto UoT. 

The non-school leaver's applications are through UoT and done by the university. So, if you are a DODL, students you'll find it easy to apply given that there is a clear pathway to get into a first-year program. 

The Grade 12 school leavers (and non-school leavers) selections for UNITECH happen (around November) of each year based on the result of the Grade 12 national examinations (in October). 

DODL Matriculants Apply to UoT 2024

For the DODL students, apply to Unitech or other tertiary institutions in the country before the due date. Usually, the Grade 12 students' selection takes precedence. (See the links for information about Unitech DODL).

PNG UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY has a limited number of spaces given the availability of learning spaces, boarding and lodging rooms, academic resources, etc. This means that the competition for admission to a program of study is usually very high.

Students aspiring to enter UNITECH through DODL must compete against the Grade 12 school leavers and non-school leavers in the country to secure a space. In order words, DODL students at UNITECH must perform exceptionally well in the national examinations to get a UNITECH placement.

Do prepare well, study hard and apply for further study.

DODL Study Centres in PNG

Currently, DODL has 21  affiliated study centres and Adult Matriculation centres around the country. Check out your location study centres in your province for more information. 

•Bugandi Secondary School •Bulolo Study Centre •Dregerfhen Study Centre •Elison Enterprise •Enga DODL Centre •Gerehu Study Centre •Goroka Secondary School •Hutjena Study Centre•Institute of Continuing and Further Education •Kainantu Study Centre •Kimbe Study Centre •Kundiawa DODL Study Centre •Lae Secondary School •Tusbab DODL Study Centre •Malabunga Secondary School •Malahang Technical High School •Markham Open and Distance Learning Institute •Mogol Secondary School •Mt Hagen Study Centre •Nimamar Franchise University Centre • OTDF Community Education Services •Sepik Matriculation Centre •Port Moresby Institute of Matriculation Studies

Appy to a college in PNG as a non-school leaver - opportunities 

Hope this information helps you to apply to DODL matriculation study centres and complete your education. 

If you are a non-school leaver looking for an opportunity to study in PNG, check out the list of application and admission info.

Study at Simbu Teachers College

Study at Madang Teachers College 

IBS University Courses and Admission

PNG Universities NSL Application Info

Polytechnic Insitute of Papua New Guinea, Lae

Police Bomana College & Police Reservist Training

Here is the page where you can get more information about the 2024 application form. Please, visit the Unitech DODL page here. If you have any questions, leave a comment below. 

How to enrol at FODE?

If you want to upgrade your marks at FODE or at any University Open and Distance Learning Centres, here is some information that you'll find useful. Click on the link to read more. 

• Flexible Open and Distance Education (FODE) Application Info
• FODE COURSES IN PROVINCES MEET EDUCATION NEEDS: PM
• Flexible Open and Distance Education (FODE) Enrolment

Leave a comment and let us know what you think about applying as a non-school leaver or upgrading your marks for next year.