Scholarship recipients prepare for studies in China

TWO students from Imbonggu in Southern Highlands say they are ready to study in China and face the new challenge.
Roland Kepikiya and Freddy David, were among the 34 recipients (26 men and eight women) from Papua New Guinea selected to pursue their studies in China on Chinese government scholarships.
Kepikiya, 20, told The National last Thursday during their scholarship presentation in Port Moresby that he aimed to be an economist and hoped getting the scholarship to China would help him achieve that goal.
He said after completing grade 12 at the Mt Hagen Park Secondary School in Western Highlands, he was selected to take up external studies in business at the University of PNG (UPNG).
“Compared to UPNG internal studies, external studies is very expensive and as a student with financial issues, I didn’t have money to pay for a single course,” he said.
“Considering the problem, I saw the Chinese government scholarship programme in the newspaper so I applied for bachelor in economics.
“Being one of the 34 students who won the scholarship, I am very happy and ready to meet the challenges, especially as it will be my first time to be outside of PNG,” he said.
Kepikiya said he wanted to work with the National Government after completing his studies in China.
“It was through them (Government) that we got the chance to pursue our education in another country,” he said.
“I want to give back to the Government and the people of PNG.”
David, 23, who completed grade 12 at Tusbab Secondary School in Madang, told The National that when he came to Port Moresby, a relative informed him about the scholarship so he applied.
“I was a science student in high school and had the ambition to become a health worker,” he said.
“When the opportunity came I went ahead and applied to study basic medicine in China.
“After completing my studies I want to bring back the knowledge to PNG, especially Imbonggu and help deliver services.