National Online Tertiary Selection System in Papua New Guinea

Statement

Representatives of Higher Education Institutions, stakeholders, prospective students and the general public. I would like to inform you of the Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology’s efforts to improve the upcoming National Selections.

The National Selections is the most significant events that affect our Grade 12 School Leavers. Selectors from each of the Universities and Higher Education Institutions play a key role in ensuring that we not only select but also that there is maximum opportunity given for Grade 12 school leavers that are eligible to continue studies in respective academic programs of choice.

This year we have just over 28,000 students nominated to sit for their Grade 12 exams. The rapid growth in the number of School Leavers, particularly as a result of the National Tuition Fee Free Policy, is astounding. The sector has grown to such a stage in which the way we select students must be improved on to become honest and transparent.

The Ministry for Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology has developed a strategic plan to help as many students as possible to gain entry to universities or colleges, to offer the quality of education and most importantly help them succeed once they have enrolled.

As part of this strategy, the Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology has been looking at ways to improve how it facilitates the National Selections. Our main objective is to improve transparency, accountability, and most importantly increase the probability of capable and eligible school leavers in being admitted while ensuring institutions’ autonomy in selections process is maintained.

I am extremely delighted to inform all stakeholders that the DHERST is working with PCG Academia, a Polish subsidiary of the American Public Consulting Group company that successfully serves education sectors in the USA, Canada and Europe.

On the 13th October 2017, DHERST hosted a Stakeholder Seminar on the Online Selections for Higher Education Institutions. The purpose of this Seminar was to present to the Institutions the Online Selections system and more specifically how the system would be utilized by the institution.

I am confident that the Online Selections will contribute to improving fairness, transparency and accountability in the selection process. I encourage all higher education institutions and important stakeholders to work as a team to prepare for the upcoming National Selections.

I also commend and thank the Acting Secretary for the Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology and the his staff for this milestone initiative that will change the face of National Selections of Grade 12 school leavers into our tertiary institutions in the country.

As the Minister responsible for all Higher and Technical Education Institutions in PNG, I formally endorse the National Online Selection System.

God bless you all and our country Papua New Guinea!

Note: Tertiary Selections were done online last week, the results will come out in lated December or early January 2018.