Tertiary scholarship programme fund increased

 THE Huon Gulf tertiary students scholarship programme has increased its sponsorship to K1 million from K650,000.

The scholarship is for students attending public and private institutions.

MP Ross Seymour’s initiative last year, supported by district education manager Moses Wanga, will benefit 231 students this year.

Last year, the programme sponsored 143 students – 80 males and 63 females – in 16 institutions, spending K377,638.90 in the first semester. 

In the second semester, K98,530 was spent for 90 students comprising 53 males and 37 females in 17 institutions.

Students are from the local level governments of Wampar (105), Salamaua (48), Morobe (24) and one non-resident.

The screening process of the applicants is underway with the committee yet to verify with the Gerson-Solulu tertiary scholarship programme which students from Huon Gulf district will benefit from it to avoid double-dipping.

Wanga said the establishment of the office was to avoid issues such as incomplete forms lacking referees, false information, identical serial numbers and the failure to provide exact tuition figures. He said to develop human resources in the district, the number of beneficiaries had increased from 143 last year to 178 this year.

“It means that awareness on the scheme is beginning to reach rural communities to ensure fair awarding of scholarships,” he said.