PNG 8th Uni: PM Marape Pledges Support for Lutheran University - Press Release

Prime Minister Hon. James Marape, MP, has pledged Government support for the establishment of the long-overdue Lutheran University in Lae.

Here is the latest update on this story, click here to find out.

Image: Facebook | PM & NEC page

Key points added for clarity

• Lutheran Church in PNG, the second largest church behind Catholic Church, does not have a university yet.
• PNG has 6 operating universities.
• Two universities are run by the churches in PNG (Pacific Adventist University run by the Seventh Day Adventist Mission and Divine Word University run by the Catholic Mission)
• UPNG, Unitech, UoG and UNRE are public universities.
• Western Pacific University in the Southern Highlands Province. Its first intake was in 2020.

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How PNG's Social and Economic Development Trends Changed 20 Years after Independence 

Press release cont...

He announced this in front of thousands of Lutheran faithful at the 32nd Evangelical Lutheran Church of PNG Synod at Boana in Nawaeb, Morobe, today.

PM Marape urged the Synod to continue working on the concept of the Lutheran university.

"Please refurbish this concept of a Lutheran-based university," he said.

"We have talked about this previously, but it has slowed down.

"The Lutheran University must come to pass, as a memorial of this 32nd Synod.

"I want to throw it on the floor here, that someone in the crowd pick it up.

"Lutheran is the second-biggest church, so I ask you please, let's work on this.

"National Government will pick up the university that the church wants, and we'll get it going.

"Starting 2020, we'll work on it and Hopefully by 2025, when the nation celebrates 50 years of Independence, our Lutheran University can lift its flag up and fly, and take students in by that time.

Prime Minister Marape supported a call by Morobe Governor Hon. Ginson Saonu for the establishment of a Lutheran elementary teachers' college.

He said the Government had allocated K1 million for this. He also told the Lutheran Church to come up with a plan for a university to get Government assistance.

"We will start a 10-year programme that will create the genesis of a Christian-based education system being run in our country.

"To make this country truly identified with Christian principles, our education system must be run by Christian churches,” the Prime Minister said

He (the Prime Minister) called for closer partnership between churches and the Government in education and health.

"The Lutheran Church is the second-largest church in the country," Prime Minister Marape said.

"We (Government) are ready to work in partnership with you in the areas of health and education.

"You are already established in society; you are with the people."Our Government stands ready to embrace churches in the areas of health and education.

"These are two key services in the country that I want churches to play a bigger role in,” PM Marape said.

Source: Facebook, released Sunday 12th January 2020

We also provide some background information about the 6 PNG universities here. Find out about the selections lists for UPNG, UOG, UNRE, Unitech, DWU and PAU:

• UPNG, University of Papua New Guinea
• UOG, University of Goroka
• UNRE, University of Natural Resources and Environment
• Unitech, University of Technology
• DWU, Divine Word University and 
• PAU, Pacific Adventist University.

HELP: HIGHER EDUCATION LOAN PROGRAM TO BE READY IN SECOND SEMESTER 2020

The government introduced, Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) will be ready for students to apply in the Second Semester of 2020.

DHERST HELP Load Updated Info

Here are past news articles and information about DHERST HELP student loan programs that you should know when applying. Click on the links to read the latest articles about the HELP loan program.

• Introduction of HELP student loan, 2020
• HELP Studentships: What Are the Benefits?
• TESAS and HELP APPLICATION INFO
• How to apply for HELP Application 

NID & TIN required for HELP application

KEY POINTS

• DHERST will facilitate the Student Loan Scheme (HELP)
• HELP application will open from 27th April 2020
• Prerequisites for loan include National Identification Card (NID) and Tax Identification Number or (TIN)
• HELP will be the only available Students’ scholarship in the future
• Continuity of HELP per student is based on GPA
• Help is available for higher education courses, PhD, Doctoral, Masters and other postgraduate programs
• Student Application for the HELP loan is online

Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology Secretary, Fr Jan Czuba in a statement says this an instruction from Prime Minister James Marape and DHERST Minister Nick Kuman.

Fr Jan Czuba said since it’s a new system being introduced; it requires some time from both the department and the students to finalise everything.

He said it also gives time to students to gather their required documents such as National Identification Card or NID) and Tax Identification Number or (TIN). These are important prerequisite requirements when submitting Applications for HELP.

HELP application will open from 27th April 2020, online via DHERST website and as notified in press and media advertising.

During the period of January to May 2020, there will be a transition from TESAS to HELP. DHERST will be working very closely with all Higher Education Institutions over the transition period to ensure that all students are well informed about HELP.

As of May 2020, TESAS awards will cease for good and HELP financing will commence. HELP will be the only available Studentship for all students for years to come.

HELP will provide student support for multiple years of study as long as students continue to meet the required academic and non-academic criteria.

HELP will also be available for PhD, Doctoral, Masters and other postgraduate programs, meeting the Government’s goal in providing a full range of quality education at the post-secondary level and beyond.

Fr Jan Czuba also announced the total amount of money each student attending tertiary institutions is eligible to apply.

“Students attending colleges and Poly-Technical colleges either public or private, as long as the colleges are registered by us and program accredited, the students will be eligible to apply K5000 per year.

“Students who are doing university level will apply for K10 000 per year.

 “Students who do Masters Degree or other Post-Graduate studies like Bachelors or Honors will apply for K15000 per year.

Students who are doing PhD or Doctorate can apply for K20 000 per year,” the Secretary outlined.

Fr Jan said, for a start, the students will receive less but as the year goes by the loan amount might increase.

“Currently we have the Students Higher Education Loan Program Handbook for students’ ready.“We have the Lease Agreement between students and Government is ready.“Now we are developing this electronic application and it should be ready soon, so students don’t have to go to the bank or come to us to get the application form.“They will go to the Website, they will download the form, fill them online and send them back to us, so the process will be very fast, said Fr Jan Czuba.

The Secretary said this will save time and cost for parents and students as everything will be done electronically.

In the meantime, Fr Jan Czuba said, those students on TESAS will continue but for self-sponsored students will have to meet their own registration fees for the first semester only.

SOURCE: NBC News | 08/01/2020 | Facebook Notes