By GABRIEL KATUHO
A TOTAL of 120 FODE students form Hela have been selected on merit to attend one of the top 50 universities in India, Parul University.
This was made possible through an education partnership program by the India government and Papua New Guinea during the state visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year.
Now the university has 200 Papua New Guinea students who were sent last year and Hela was fortunate to send its first batch of FODE students this year.
Hela Governor Philip Undialu made a remarkable statement acknowledging the education department under the leadership of secretary Uke Kombra for extending its arms to the TIVET programs with FODE being exceptional.
Undialu thanked the Hela provincial government for its commitment to the education sector despite the challenges faced in the province.
He made special acknowledgement to the hard working people, Mr. Thomas Kopari Director Senior Inspector-TVET, Hela province, Mr. Ronny Angu-Director of Hela Provincial Government and Ms.Bansi Mayani- PNG Program coordinator, Parul University and the teaching staff for the incredible Job done.
Parul University which caters for over 60 thousand plus students has given 1000 quota for PNG students with an MOU signed by PNG and Indian government allowing Indian government to pay half of the school fees and PNG government and other corporate sponsors to cover the other half.
With 200 students selected from Hela 120 were graded on merit for the University. The Hela provincial government has also signed an agreement for a period of five years with Parul University to send students to study in India.
“I have seen the parent’s struggle and that is why I will pay all your school fees for the rest of your studies. I just want to challenge you to produce better results and make me proud,” Undialu said.
“Do not go and enjoy the privileges and be distracted and forget about your studies. Go graduate with distinctions and come back and help build Tari,” he said.
With per student costing about K2,235 in school fees, Governor Undialu has taken the parents’ burden on his shoulder, covering most of the expenses including air freight to make sure Hela’s human resource is prioritized.
Prime Minister James Marape has commended the students and urged them to be good ambassadors of the country and the province and priorities the prime goal they were sent for.
These students departed the country at 3:00 pm today.
