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.

png university lutheran
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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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:

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.


nid and tin required tor 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

Study at National Polytechnic Institute (Polytech Lae) of PNG Application and Enrolment Info

General info for students: Here is information for potential students wanting to enrol at the National Polytechnic Institute of Papua New Guinea (NPIPNG or Polytec PNG). The academic programs and non-school leavers' application processes in this article aim to help applicants as they prepare to submit their 2023 Polytechnic Institute Application Forms for study in 2024.



Polytechnic Non-School Leavers Application Form

Selections for non-school leavers are done at the institution and the names of the successful applicants are notified via their website or Facebook page. A letter of acceptance is also sent out to the new intakes for 2024. If you are in Lae (Morobe Province), check the notice board at Polytech PNG at Eriku.

As mentioned, the Offer Letter for successful applicants will be forwarded to your forwarding address given in the application form. 

You can also collect the offer letter from the Institute Administration, through a valid ID presentation. If forwarding addresses are changed, call the Institute  Care-takers to give your new forwarding email addresses.

School Leavers Application (SL, Grade 12 applicants)

Selection for School Leaver's applications is facilitated by the Department of Higher Education, Research, Science & Technology (DHERST) through its Student Support & Scholarship Branch.

It is important to note that DHERST through its Student Support & Scholarship will inform all TESAS awardees through separate offer letters. We wrote this article to give clarity to the process of DHERST selection and the TESAS Award. Check them out.

Any selected school leavers who do not receive a TESAS offer letter from DHERST should not consider him/herself to be a self-sponsored student and is subject to all self-sponsor conditions for selected applicants. For queries regarding SL applications, please contact DHERST.

Polytechnic Lae contact

Non-school Leavers and School Leavers offer letters are forwarded to students' respective email accounts provided on either the application form (for the NSL) or NOSS ( for the SL). That means that applicants to PNG Polytech will receive their Acceptance Letters through the addresses they provided.

If you have not received your offer letter, call or email Polytec PNG on polytec.acad.clerk@gmail.com  or monicaterry493@gmail.com

READ OPEN COLLEGE STUDY INFO and IBS UNIVERSITY PATHWAY HERE. Check out this link, if you to apply for a Police Training Course.

Academic Programs at The National Polytechnic Institute of Papua New Guinea

  • Diploma in Applied Science
  • Diploma in Architectural Drafting
  • Diploma in Building.
  • Diploma in Civil Engineering
  • Diploma In Business Studies-Accounting
  • Diploma In Business Studies-Computing
  • Diploma In Business Studies-Management
  • Diploma In Business Studies-Office Administration
  • Diploma in Electrical Engineering
  • Diploma in Mechanical Engineering
  • Technical Training Certificate in Science Technology
  • Technical Training Certificate in Drafting
  • Technical Training Certificate in Tourism & Hospitality
  • Certificate in Meat Processing
  • National Certificate in Maintenance Fitting & Machining Level 1
  • National Certificate in Metal Fabrication & Welding Level 1

2024 Enrollment Information

Enrollment for all successful applicants and continuing students usually takes place between January and February 2024. 

Make sure to turn up before the registration closing date. A successful applicant who fails to enrol on the closing day loses his/her space to other students on the waiting list.

Present Original copies of documents on enrollment: 

  • Acceptance Letter, 
  • Certificates and Transcripts and 
  • a full school fee bank payment deposit slip or receipt.

National Polytechnic Institute of Papua New Guinea PNG Course Fee

The institution recommends that students (new & continuing) pay the Full Fee before enrolling, otherwise, enrolment will be denied.

  • Full Year Self & Corporate Sponsor fee is K7,300.00,
  • The Boarding and lodging Component of K2,800.00 is inclusive for boarding students and K4,500.00 for Day students. 
  • HECAS Student Fee (Parent Component) is K4,500.00.

For the latest information and notes with course fees, please refer to the “Fee Schedule” attached to the Offer Letter posted to you.

Method of Payment

All payments must be made through the bank. The Institute account details are:

A/C Name: The National Polytechnic Institute of Papua New Guinea, 

Account No#: For the account number contact Polytech Lae

Note: All cheques must be made before the student is allowed to enrol. Students can be denied enrolment while waiting for the cheque to be cleared, therefore it is strongly recommended that all payments must be in cash or bank cheque before the enrolment dates.

Boarding Facilities

Accommodation on campus is limited and will be only provided for HECAS students on a “first come first basis”. Some HECAS students will not be given boarding privileges because of limited spaces. Boarding students are required to provide their own beddings (.i.e mattresses, pillows and linen) and eating utensils (for example cup, fork, and knife).

All other sponsored students will have to find their own accommodation off-campus. The Okari Campus is a church-owned accommodation facility that has been providing off-campus alternative accommodation for NPIPNG students since 2016 and continues to provide alternative accommodation for NPIPNG students. 

The campus is a 15-20 minute walk from NPIPNG. The Assemblies of God Church owns and manages the facilities as well as provides pastoral care and counselling services to the students. 

Those willing to be considered for Okari Campus boarding space can contact Mrs Norma Kendi at 72455254 or Mr Paul Kilembe at 76218142 or email pkilembe@gmail.com

Substitute Applicants

Substitute applicants will not be considered during the enrolment time.

For any queries contact the Caretakers or the Deputy Director-Academic or Deputy Director of Students Services on Phone # 472 2552 /7530/1505 or Fax: 472 1025. Visit the NPIPNG website www.polytec.ac.pg or the Department of Education Website. www.education.gov.pg

TESAS List Continuing Students DHERST Students Info

The secretary for the Department of Higher Education Research Science and Technology (DHERST), Professor Fr. Jan Czuba, congratulated and wished every continuing student the BEST in their studies. He also announced the approved list of continuing students who are on TESAS attending the Higher Education institutions in Papua New Guinea.

Updated info on HELP Students Loan Programs

Here are past news articles and information about DHERST HELP student loan programs that you should know when applying.

Continuing students - Notice

If you are a student with no names on the TESAS-approved list of continuing students, here is what the department had to say...
Be advised that students whose name do not appear on the list will appear on the Supplementary List which will be published soon.
DHERST did not say exactly when the supplementary list will be published. In anticipation of the list coming out, please check the department's website. 

The Department of Higher Education, DHERST, had appealed to the 'institutions who do not submit the list of continuing students to the department are advised to do so before the end of January 2020'. [Press Release, 03/01/2020]

Where to Download Continuing Students TESAS Award List

DHERST TESAS Award list for New Intakes (SL & NSL) and Continuing students for 2023 was released today - download the PDFs here 

How to check your name?

If you are a continuing student wanting to find out your name is on the TESAS Award PDF doc, follow these 5 steps to find out:
1. Open the Continuing Students TESAS Awards List, here (PDF, 99 pages).
2. Download the PDF file to your computer/smartphone/device
3. Save and open the award list
4. Use the 'Search' icon
5. Important: you must type in your full name (Surname & given name)

The names' print is very small. However, if you do follow the instructions, you are likely to find your name quickly.

When you have found your name, make sure you confirm the other details like the institution, program, year and award.

pdf tesas list for continuing students 2024

What does TESAS mean?

TESAS stands for Tertiary Education Students Assistance Scheme. There are two categories of TESAS. See this post for more info on TESAS

Perhaps new and continuing students at all tertiary institutions must be up-to-date with the changes that are happening at present. Especially, the changes to TESAS and the introduction of the HELP student loan scheme.


One suggestion is to check the latest updates on the HELP scheme at DHERST website. The department has some updates on the changes in higher education tuition and the purported student loan scheme. Here is an online news article by NBC News (Reposted) - READ MORE. Some key points are listed in bullet points below.


About PNG Insight
PNG Insight is an education blog. It aims to highlight the key developments in the education sector in Papua New Guinea. Started in 2014 on Google's blogger (now self-hosted on Wordpress), PNG Insight strives to be a platform for critical thinking and discussions; and a source of information.

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