Grade 12 students can apply online

National

By GYNNIE KERO
Grade 12 students applying for tertiary institution can lodge online applications from next month, according to Higher Education Minister Pila Niningi.
He said the National Online Application System (NOAS) would be officially opened on Aug 1 for Grade 12 students to apply for further studies to any registered higher education institution next year.
In a paid advertisement, Niningi said: “In 2017 my ministry, through the Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology made great strides in improving transparency, accountability, and efficiency.
“Most importantly, there is now an increased probability of capable and eligible school leavers being admitted to higher education institutions, and we have also ensured that the institutions’ autonomy in the selection process is maintained through the Online Selection System (OSS).
“The introduction of the OSS has resulted in all Grade 12 applicants with a GPA of at least 2.3 receiving an offer from a higher and technical education institution.
“This presents a tremendous achievement for Papua New Guinea since in previous years under the manual paper-based selection process many eligible students had not been selected, even some with GPAs of 4.0
“In 2018, the ministry seeks to optimise further the process of matching the best applicants with higher and technical study programmes by replacing the paper-based School Leavers Application Forms with what will now become the NOAS. Online application provides the following benefits:

  • More choices – Grade 12 school leavers can choose up to five preferred programmes. Previously students had two (2) choices of programmes;
  • More information – each programme now has clear and distinct requirements, preferences and residential options;
  • More time to make a decision – the online application system is open for three months, it gives students, parents and schools more to choose the right programme and institution;
  • Programmes and exams match – your application will be matched to your chosen programme’s examination combinations; and,
  • Increased chances for admission through subject combination matching.

“A hundred and forty-eight principals activated their online accounts and registered 348 patrons. They now be able to support and monitor their students’ online applications in real time through their respective online accounts,” Niningi said.