Resources, facilities enhance learning, says student

 THE availability of resources and facilities will enhance a student’s ability to excel in his or her studies according to the PNG Sustainable Development Program scholarship recipient Meson Tumsok.

He is one of the 16 tertiary students from Western who received new laptops, printers, modems and software as part of their scholarship. 

“There are three factors that contribute towards the production of a quality student and these include the professionalism of lecturers, the availability of resource materials and the facilities that are accessible,” the fourth year economics student at the University of Papua New Guinea said.

“In PNG we do not have proper access to information technology in tertiary institutions so we are privileged to receive these modems and laptops from you.”

PNGSDP CEO David Sode said the K2.1 million programme was set up to make sure that the province continues to benefit from Ok Tedi mine well after it closes.

“The scholarships are investments that are intended to enable young people to gain knowledge and skills so they can contribute to the long-term development of Western.

“In total, PNGSDP supports 25 students through the scholarship scheme which provides tuition fees and living allowances to see them through their courses.

“Just as I can be accused of misuse of funds if I spend my time reading the newspaper in my office instead of working, so too can you as a scholarship holder if you spend your time in clubs or having nights out instead of focusing on your studies,” PNGSDP program manager Lawrence Stephens added. 

“When you get something as good as this, we expect application.”

Introduced in 2011, the programme saw five of its awardees graduate last year while four are expected to graduate this.

The scheme is awarded to young people of Western origin studying undergraduate, postgraduate, college, vocational and technical courses at tertiary institutions in the country.