Former priest sets up scholarship

 A FORMER Catholic priest has set up a programme for high-achieving PNG students aiming to study in the Philippines. 

The Joseph Chow Sun Yau MBE Future Leader Scholarship is awarded to students who dream of becoming a business or political leader and want to shape the future of Papua New Guinea. 

This scholarship programme is managed by Paradise International Education Consultancy (PIEC), a Filipino placement agency based in Cebu, Philippines.

This new scholarship programme by PIEC requires interested students to pursue a degree programme in business or political majors only. 

This is to uphold the scholarship’s goal of producing leaders from PNG.

Joseph Chow MBE was born in Rabaul and was a Catholic priest who set up schools and medical centres in Milne Bay through his missionary work. 

He now works as a successful businessman who continues to dedicate much of his time and energy in making the community better.

PIEC and the programme are currently run by his son Jensen Chow.

The scholarship is an all-expense paid privilege programme. 

“I opened this scholarship to develop the youth to be capable of creating jobs to improve lives, and contribute to the growth of PNG. 

“This is one of my ways in helping PNG and its people progress through education,” Chow said.

He said scholars must have the strong leadership skills and the willingness to serve PNG.

The scholars will be given the same services as those full fee paying students who use PIEC’s services which covers the airfare, tuition fees, accommodation, allowance, text books, education placement and enrollment, orientations, study skills seminars, visa assistance, and tutoring and pastoral care.  

Today, there are more than 80 PNG students registered under PIEC studying in the different established universities in the Philippines. 

PIEC is also accepting registrations for full fee paying students, where parents can budget K20,000 to K25,000 per year.