By GEORGINA MICHAEL
The International Training Institute has awarded K430,000 in scholarships to 100 students across its campuses, marking 15 years of annual support for underprivileged students pursuing higher education.
ITI Chairman and Co-founder Mr. Kumuran Sentheyvel presented the scholarships yesterday at the Badili Campus in Port Moresby. The funding will cover students at the Port Moresby campus and ITI’s outer centres. Of the 100 recipients, 45 are from Central and NCD schools, while the remaining 55 are from campuses outside Port Moresby.
The scholarship program began in 2011. Over the past 15 years, more than 1,000 students have benefited, with ITI committing over K2 million in total to the initiative.
“For this year we have 100 students and we are giving K430,000 in scholarships. Out of that, 45 are in Port Moresby and the rest are at outer centres of ITI,” Mr. Sentheyvel said.
He said the program is part of ITI’s community obligation and is held annually, with both the number of students and scholarship amounts increasing each year. Next year ITI plans to raise the scholarship pool to K450,000 and increase the number of recipients.
The scholarships target underprivileged students and those with good grades who missed out on tertiary placements. Selection is done by the school’s students last attended. Certificate students have their full costs covered, while diploma students receive 75% coverage. Mr. Kumuran said ITI aims to extend full support to diploma and possibly bachelor students over time.
“These benefits students who are underprivileged or those who get good grades but couldn’t make it into tertiary institutions. We are proud we have been doing it for 15 years now,” he said. He confirmed the scholarship will continue running at all ITI campuses nationwide.
During the presentation, several scholars shared speeches of gratitude. One recipient, Damaris James from Badihagawa, spoke on behalf of the group: “On behalf of the scholarship, I express our deepest gratitude to Mr. Kumuran for the scholarship. You did not just build ITI as a school, you believed in students and gave them a chance to learn regardless of their backgrounds.”
“Because of the scholarship, students who thought school wasn’t for them are now here. Families no longer choose between school fees and household needs. Students can now focus on their studies and their future,” she said.
“The scholarship is not just about money. It is sending a message that you see us and you believe in us. We promise to honour your generosity by working hard, supporting each other and giving back to our communities one day, just like what you did for us.”