2023 UNRE Application: Part-time Degree and Certificate Bridging Courses Open

UNRE (the University of Natural Resources and Environment), previously called the Vudal Agriculture College in Rabaul, has called for interested students to submit applications for the bridging programs for 2023. 

PNG UNRE's Centre for Self-Education (CFSE) is running an Off-season intensive learning program for students who have passed through the institution or other agriculture and fishery institution in PNG with a diploma. It calls it the Taubar Session. Read on to find out how to apply.

About UNRE Taubar Session 2023

The Taubar session is an off-season (part-time) intensive learning program designed to externalize mainstream graduate programs that the university offers to its undergraduate full-time students. 

The program runs through a 12-weeks period using a modular block approach and can be completed over a period of 2 - 4 years, depending on how the block courses are scheduled for a particular year.

What is the aim of the program?

The intensive part-time program is aimed at providing learning opportunities for potential students who are unable to take up full-time studies at the university. 

The program is facilitated by PNG UNRE CFSE. It starts early in January 2023. 

Part-time intensive Degree and Certificate program

UNRE Taubar Session will have 5 programs running concurrently. 

1. Bridging to Bachelor Degree in Marine and Fisheries
2. Bridging to Bachelor Degree in Sustainable Tropical Agriculture (majoring in Agribusiness and Entrepreneurship)
3. Bridging to Bachelor Degree in Sustainable Tropical Agriculture (majoring in Fundamentals of Para Veterinary Technology)
4. Certificate in Fundamentals of Para Veterinary Technology
5. Certificate in Fundamentals of Statistics Research/Experimentation 

2023 UNRE Entry Requirements for part-time programs

• All applicants to the Bridging to Degree Programs shall possess a diploma (in Tropical Agriculture/Fishery) from PNG UNRE or other recognised institutions. 
• All applicants to the Certificate in Fundamentals of Para Veterinary Technology shall possess a Bachelor in Tropical Agriculture from PNG UNRE, Bachelor of Agriculture Science and or two years of work experience in a related field. 
• Certificate in Fundamentals of Statistics Research/Experimentation shall possess work experience.

UNRE Application and Admission Contact

If you have any questions about UNRE 2023 application form or any other queries relating to this part-time intensive program, contact the program facilitators directly. 

Ms Stephenie Tringin

Director, Centre for Self Education 

E- stringin@unre.ac.pg

P- 987 1342 / 987 1343 / 987 1344 / 987 1200

2023 PNG colleges and universities application info

Check this link (PNG Universities) and this link (PNG Colleges) for 2023 application requirements, and the selection and admission information.

PNG 2022 Election Update: Names of Provicial Returning Officers

2022 PNG Election News Update: The Papua New Guinea Electoral Commission (PNGEC) has appointed 19 Returning Officers (ROs) for the 2022 National General Elections (#2022NGE). Their appointments were dated 8th Oct 2021.

 Wondered where to get the updated PNG Electoral Common Roll?

Latest deferral of the Opening of Nominations and what dates are changing - read the updates

The three provinces with unknown ROs are Sundown, Western and Western Highlands provinces.

2022 PNG Election News Update - Provinces and 2022 NGE Returning Officers

Do you want to write a good Candidate profile? Here is how to do it!

1. Autonomous Region of Bougainville (Justin Pantumari)
2.   Central (Peter Malaifeope)
3.  Chimbu/Simbu (Tom Sine)
4.   East New Britain (Joap Volvol)
5.   East Sepik (James Piapia)
6.   Eastern Highlands (Steven Gore Kaupa)
7.   Enga (Anton Iamau)
8.   Gulf (Poevare Tore)
9.   Hela (John Tips)
10.   Jiwaka (Rossie Pandhau)
11.   Madang (Spoosa Navi)
12.   Manus (Alice Sikin)
13.   Milne Bay (Dadu Daga)
14.   Morobe (Simon Moheke)
15.   National Capital District (Kila Ralai)
16.   New Ireland (Annette Bais)
17.   Oro Northern (Daisy Hombogani)
18.   Sandaun West Sepik (???)
19.   Southern Highlands (Alwynn Jimmy)
20.   West New Britain  (Emily Kelton)
21.   Western /Fly (???)
22.   Western Highlands (???)

NOTE: The PNGEC missed the appointment of the 3 ROs due to reasons unknown. This list has been circulated widely on Social Media. 

We hope that the PNGEC does this selection properly and ensures that this important appointment is complete and FINAL. 

Let us know in the comment if you know of the ROs for Sundown, Western and Western Highlands provinces.

LSAT Results and Law School Admission 2023

The Law School Admission Council (LSAT) has said that the application for entry into the 2023 and 2024 academic years has been competitive. Law schools in the US and Canada are going to have a difficult time admitting aspiring lawyers.

Year-over-year law school applications

There was a 13% increase in the number of applicants last year. 

According to LSAT, this was the 

''largest year-over-year increase in law school applications since 2002. Not only was the increase in applications immense, but the number of applicants with LSAT scores in the 175 to 180 band grew as well, from 732 last year to 1,487 this time around''.

LSAT Results and Law School Admission Increase

For the first time since 2002, Law schools in the US will experience a high enrollment of students, students with high LSAT test scores. 

“This was the cycle that surprised everyone,” said Mike Spivey of Spivey Consulting, whose firm assists clients in the law school admissions process. “In some cycles, applicants are surprised. In some cycles, law schools are surprised. But no one was able to anticipate the incredible spike of high LSAT scores.”

More Intelligent students doing LSAT 2023

The increase in the number of high LSAT scores can be attributed to a high number of intelligent students wanting to do law.

The Law School Admission Council has said that their data show aspiring law students had more time to study for the admissions test during the pandemic. And their efforts are yielding higher scores. 

 Read more about LSAT, the body that conducts the August 2023 remote admission tests

LSAT online tutors on remote LSATs

LSAT online tutors also noted that due to the change in 2023 LSAT Writing tests, the LSAT is done remotely, both Part A Multiple Choice and Part B Essays. 

The test takers do the test in their own homes and are less stressful and more manageable than a longer exam taken at a testing centre.

The change could have had a better effect on the students' LSAT results this year, 2023. The remote LSAT test is going to remain until June 2024. 

Spivey predicts that the law schools in the US are going to go through a tough time deciding who to admit into the academic years 2023 and 2024. 

“You’re going to see a competitive cycle early on,” he said. “And I think schools are going to go incredibly slowly in admit decision-making. They got burned this year.”

Read more about the Law School Admission Test, LSAT.

2024 Global Undergraduate Exchange Program (Global UGRAD) for PNG Students

The Global Undergraduate Exchange Program (Global UGRAD) provides a diverse group of emerging student leaders with a scholarship for one semester of non-degree academic study at a U.S. college or university. 

Global UGRAD is a program of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the United States Department of State.

Global UGRAD aims to recruit participants from underrepresented backgrounds who have not had other opportunities to study in the United States. 

Successful applicants can expect in-depth exposure to U.S. society, culture, and academic institutions, as well as opportunities to enhance their professional skills.

• For students in Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands or Vanuatu
• Deadline to apply – (Expected) Early January

Global UGRAD is administered by World Learning

All participants will be enrolled in full-time, non-degree, undergraduate coursework chosen from their host institution’s existing curriculum. Participants will be required to take one, 3-credit U.S. studies course to enhance their understanding of the United States. 

Participants will live in campus housing facilities with American peers and will be required to participate in twenty hours of community service. There will also be a virtual arrival orientation and an in-person end-of-program workshop.

Candidates from the Pacific Islands countries are eligible. Global UGRAD is administered by World Learning on behalf of its funder, the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

Only online applications will be accepted, Eastern Standard time via: https://webportalapp.com/

Program Eligibility

Global UGRAD is open to all academic fields of study and does not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, or disability.

The Global UGRAD Program is open to anyone who meets the following criteria:

• Applicants must be a citizen of Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands or Vanuatu to apply for the Global UGRAD Program.
• Applicants must be studying in Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands or Vanuatu to apply for the Global UGRAD Program.
• Scholarships will be granted to students who currently are enrolled in full-time undergraduate programs only, having completed a minimum of their first semester of study. Participants must have at least one semester or an equivalent term to complete at their home institutions upon completion of the Global UGRAD Program.
• Applicants should demonstrate leadership potential through academic work, community involvement, and extracurricular activities.
• Applicants must achieve a minimum TOEFL score of 48iBT.
• Preference will be given to those who have had little or NO experience in the United States or outside of their home countries.
• Has a solid command of written and spoken English (English Language training for some finalists is possible);
• Able to begin studies in the U.S. in January 2024 (selected participants may not defer to a later date);
• Eligible to receive and maintain the U.S. student exchange visa (J-1) required for the program;
• Applicants are over 18 years of age.
• Cleared by a physician to participate in the program

Individuals in the following circumstances are NOT eligible for the Global UGRAD Program:

• U.S. citizens and permanent residents of the United States;
• Individuals currently studying, residing, or working outside of their home country;
• Anyone who has already graduated from university
• Local employees of the U.S. missions abroad who work for the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID); employees are also ineligible for one year following the termination of employment;
• Immediate family members (i.e. spouses and children) of U.S. Department of State and USAID employees; family members are also ineligible for one year following the termination of employment;
• Current World Learning employees and their immediate family members

For more info please visit: https://www.worldlearning.org/program/global-undergraduate-exchange-program

If you have questions, please write to: pdportmoresby@state.gov

For detailed information please visit the Global UGRAD website and Global UGRAD Facebook page.  The house program description, program eligibility, a link to the online application and a great video of current UGRAD students encouraging others to apply.  

Global UGRAD YouTube Channel features videos that past participants have made about their experiences in the U.S.