Three Key Questions About PNG Universities You Should Ask- By An Academic

Original post by Lawrence Sause

UNIVERSITY ENROLMENT FOR 2017

In one of the recent post on good students being shut out of university enrolment, I provide my take (response) by saying this.......

Let's have a long range perspective on this. Too many young PNGeans will fall on the way side because of space, even those with the best grades.

In the long term we must create space in our universities to cater for those who can come. This will require investment in infrastructure  and teaching facilities and aids, academic staff expansionary and expansion of disciplines. In all my years at the UPNG, I've witnessed first hand the severe deterioration of the university teaching, learning and support facilities not only in UPNG, but also in all public universities. In some classes, including mine, students stand even right to the door and outside to attend lectures, to my great disappointment.

The raising of the GPA threshold for enrolment, often at crazy levels, is nothing more than an artificial strategy adopted as a coping mechanism against a perverse lack of capacity to function given the debilitating state of teaching, learning and support facilities. In the long term, curtailing even good students in exchange for coping, must be seriously questioned. Do we want to keep doing this?

If I were to tell you that about 70 percent of the academic disciplines at UPNG do not have an Associate. Prof or a Prof, would that surprise you? Yet that is the situation. In the School of Business and Public Policy for example, there are only two nationals with a PhD and only one Associate Prof who is the Dean, in the entire school. We are not competitive and we cannot attract the best, remuneration wise. However, there is more to this problem. Good academics who can raise the standard of university teaching and the transmission of knowledge want a good place of work that is rewarding and can help develop their own career. UPNG and other PNG Public universities can't offer that. By the best of standards, our infrastructure and learning facilities cannot even match those in some of the  colleges I've seen in NZ and Australia. So, debilitating infrastructure, teaching and learning facilitues not only deters getting young PNGeans but also becomes the key stumbling block for recruiting and retaining quality staff. How much longer can we continue to impose those crazy artificial GPA requirements just to cope against capacity-related problems in our universities? It's crazy.

Government support to universities has drastically fallen commensurate with the demand for space and the need to upscale and modernise our universities to world class standards. Those of you who have been to UNITEC and UPNG, have you seen any significant change in the infrastructure and teaching and learning facilities in your most recent visits? National leaders including our Prime Minister should also be asked the same question. So I am inclined to ask, what do they see now compared to their years at the university? Nothing different really, instead broken-down halls, buildings, labs and libraries, pipes and sewers etc.

Friends, the shutting out of good students on university enrollment is a symptom of a much larger problem, a problem of lack of investment on universities by government,  which is creating capacity-related problems. So GPA requirements and shedding off good students is a mere strategy to cope.

This leads me to pose several big questions about our future and that of our universities:

1. WHAT IS THE ROLE OF UNIVERSITIES IN PNG?

2. WHAT WILL THE FUTURE OF PNG BE LIKE WITHOUT VIBRANT, STRONGER AND MODERN UNIVERSITIES?

3. WHAT GENERATION OF PNGEANS ARE WE BUILDING TODAY FOR THE FUTURE FROM OUR DEBILITATING AND COLLAPSING UNIVERSITIES, AND ARE WE REALLY PREPARING THEM TO TAKE THE COUNTRY FORWARD IN THE FUTURE?

Tuition Fee Free Education Policy - Parents Must Prepare For Uncertain 2017

Payment of Tuition Fee-Free funds to schools has always been an interesting issue among the key stakeholders. Schools skeptical of government's timely commitment and the decisions to pass project fees to parents to pay had been a hot topic among parents, schools and government since the policy's inception. 

The challenge to release funds on time to schools has not been addressed properly. That is why schools and boards are forced to pass fees onto parents. Nevertheless, the recent government's commitment to TFF education policy in the last 5 years (2012 - 2016) must be commended. Through thick and thin the academic year during those years have come to completion, with parents paying nothing. 

But, yet the impending problem still remains - school are not receiving TFF funds on time. This is evident in the PNG Teacher's Facebook discussion group (05.02.2017). One teacher called it a disgrace and reiterated this was the same problem all across the country. Under an hour the post got 15 Likes and a thread was forming. 

Surely lack of promptness is a disgrace. The continued delay of TFF funds payment to schools, even after the education secretary took to Post Courier's front page (31.01.2017) news shows something is not right. In hindsight it is not right to pass the blame around. It is only right to make sure schools have the funds to start each term, on day one of school year.

In fact, the TFF funds are always paid in quarterly installments every year - just before a term starts. This year 2017 is going to be challenging. Compared to the last past 5 years the government had some breathing spaces to gather funds to fund its TFF education policy. This year is the election year. Funds are going to be tight. In addition, the uncertainty of elections and formation of government after the 2017 General Elections, puts this education policy under spotlight. 

The education department must not be complacent! It has to have a contingency plan to not only complete the tuition fee-free year successfully, but also ensures parents are not fooled into paying school fees mid-year.  

The education system, going forward, has the challenge not to fool parents and sponsors. The department must now provide clear direction as far as schools fees and projects fees are concerned all throughout the election year.

The same challenge goes to parents and sponsors - save some money for you never know what's coming. 

Story of a Grade 12 Students Selected Divine Word University

Located in Madang, Papua New Guinea, Divine Word University (DWU) is a private Catholic university that was established in 1996. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs in various disciplines such as education, health sciences, business, and social sciences.

One of the things that attracted me to DWU is its strong commitment to providing quality education. The university's academic programs are designed to provide students with a comprehensive and practical education that equips them with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in their chosen careers.

In addition to its academic programs, DWU also offers a supportive and inclusive learning environment. The university has a vibrant student community that comprises students from different parts of the world, creating a diverse and culturally rich environment.

As a new student, I found the orientation program at DWU to be very helpful. The program was designed to help new students navigate the university's policies, procedures, and services. I had the opportunity to meet other new students, faculty members, and staff, which helped me feel more comfortable and confident about my decision to study at DWU.

The university also has a range of support services that help students succeed in their academic and personal lives. For example, the Academic Support Center offers tutoring and academic coaching services, while the Counseling Center provides confidential counselling services for students who need it.

In terms of campus life, there are plenty of extracurricular activities and events that students can participate in. The university has a range of student clubs and organizations that cater to different interests, including sports, music, and social causes. There are also regular events such as concerts, cultural festivals, and guest lectures that offer students the opportunity to learn and engage with others.

Overall, my experience of studying at Divine Word University has been very positive. The university's commitment to providing quality education, a supportive learning environment, and a range of support services make it an excellent choice for anyone seeking a comprehensive and practical education. I would highly recommend DWU to anyone considering studying in Papua New Guinea.

UNITECH Selection: Schools Ranked By Number of School Leavers Selected

The University of Technology (UNITECH) has done a great job of letting parents and sponsors know who was accepted into the university. They released the list of accepted students quickly. This shows that UNITECH is committed to making the admission process smooth.

UNITECH also did a good job of selecting students from a variety of schools. They accepted almost 500 students from 95 different schools. This shows that UNITECH is open to students from all over the country.

UNITECH recognized the top 10 schools that produced the most accepted students. They also recognized Menyamya and Okapa Secondary Schools for sending two students each to UNITECH. This shows that UNITECH appreciates the good work of these schools.

To learn more about the selection process and the results of the Grade 12 exams, you can read the latest post on DHERST Selections. The post also includes a table that shows how many students were accepted from each school.

No. of Students Selected	Schools	Ranked by No. of Stds Selected		No. of Students Selected	Schools	Ranked by No. of Stds Selected
51	Sogeri National High	1
47	Port Moresby National High	2		2	Ecom Secondary	53
29	Lae Secondary	3		2	Anglimp Secondary	53
26	Hagen Park Secondary	4		2	AOG Secondary	53
23	Mt Hagen Secondary	5		2	Arawa Secondary	53
21	Goroka Secondary	6		2	Grace Memorial Secondary	53
20	Wawin National High	7		2	Hoskins Secondary	53
18	Kerevat National High	8		2	Ialibu Secondary	53
16	Aiyura National High	9		2	Kimbe IEA High	53
12	Gordon Secondary	10		2	Kitip Secondary	53
12	Kopen Secondary	10		2	Laloki Secondary	53
10	Jubilee Secondary	12		2	Menyamya Secondary	53
10	Busu Secondary	12		2	Mesauka Seconday	53
8	Bishop Wade (Tarlena	14		2	Okapa Secondary	53
8	St Joseph's International Catholic College	14		2	Paglum Adventist Secondary	53
8	Wabag Secondary	14		2	Rosary Secondary	53
8	Marianville Secondary	14		2	St Xavier's Secondary	53
7	Mendi Secondary	18		2	Tari Secondary	53
7	Kerowagi Secondary	19		2	Togoba Secondary	53
7	Wabag Secondary	19		2	Utu Secondary	53
6	Gerehu Secondary	19		2	Vunabosco Agro-Technical Sec.	53
6	Port Moresby International High	19		2	Wabag Secondary	53
				2	Kabiufa Secondary	53
5	Benabena Secondary	23		2	Kimbe IEA High	53
5	Highlands Lutheran International	23		2	Kitip Secondary	73
5	Kila Kila Secondary	23		1	Jiwaka Christian Grammar Secondary	73
5	Malala Secondary	23		1	Cameron Secondary	73
5	Muaina Secondary	23		1	Kagua Secondary	73
				1	Kainantu Tech. Secondary	73
5	Yauwe Moses Secondary	23		1	Karkar Secondary	73
4	Bumayong Secondary	31		1	Dregerhafen Secondary	73
4	De La Salle Secondary	31		1	Kimbe Secondary	73
4	Fr Peter  Secondary	31		1	Iarowari Secondary	73
4	Mogol Secondary	31		1	Kiunga Secondary	73
4	Port Moresby Grammar	31		1	Kwikila Secondary	73
4	St Paul's Lutheran Secondary	31		1	Kwip Dau Secondary	73
4	Tusbab Secondary	31		1	Lihir Secondary	73
4	Tusbab Secondary	31		1	Magarima Secondary	73
				1	Maprik Secondary	73
4	Don Bosco Technical Sec.	31		1	Markham Valley Secondary	73
3	Bugandi Secondary	40		1	Mt Wilhelm Sercondary	73
3	Coronation International High	40		1	OLSH Secondary	73
3	Asaroka Luth. Secondary	40		1	PNG Paradise Secondary	73
3	Goroka Secondary	40		1	Popondetta Secondary	73
3	Gumine Secondary	40		1	St Gabriel Technical Secondary	73
3	Minj Secondary	40		1	St Michael Brahman Secondary	73
3	Notre Dame Secondary	40
3	Passam National High	40		1	Waghi Valley Secondary	73
3	St Ignatius' Secondary	40		1	Wapenamanda Foursquare Secondary	73
3	Tokarara Secondary	40		1	Wesley Secondary	73
3	Utmei Secondary	40		1	Yangoru Secondary	73
Summary: 495 school leavers selected from 95 schools in the country