Digital system vital during crises

DISTANT, online and blended learning is important for higher education institutions to continue as it can fill the void in times of crisis and disasters such as Covid-19, an official says.
Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (DHERST) secretary Fr Jan Czuba said this on Friday when the software to process the Higher Education Loan Programme (Help) was launched by Prime Minister James Marape.
“We are developing a digital system of learning in our country,” he told Marape.
He said higher education was expensive but was a necessity for economic and social growth in the 21st century.
“We’ve established the Help trust account and instruments, we’ve developed the Help contract for students and the State and this contract will be executed electronically.”
Father Jan said DHERST also created a Help user manual for students.
“Our students can now invest in their own future by borrowing funds to support their education,” Father Jan said.
He acknowledged PNG DataCo Ltd’s partnership in moving towards digitalising the higher education sector and ensuring that Help was launched successfully.
PNG DataCo Ltd managing director Paul Komboi said the company was proud to partner DHERST.
“We’ve partnered with DHERST in the past through the online selection system,” he said.