Minister for International Trade and Investment and Yangoru-Saussia MP, Hon. Richard Maru congratulated the 41 students from the District who have met the academic requirements of the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) to be the pioneer students to study at the UPNG Yangoru-Saussia University Centre. From the 41 students, 33 were accepted to study the Bachelor of Arts Program and 8 for the Professional Studies Program.
“We are so happy that these students have been accepted on academic merit. This is history in the making as we open a new pathway for our students who are able to get offers to get into university in partnership with UPNG,” said Minister Maru.
Director for the UPNG Yangoru-Saussia University Centre, Dr. Arnold Parapi said the campus will unfortunately not offer the Science Program this year because only 4 students met the admission requirement, which is below the required quota for the program.
“We need 6 to 10 students for the Sceince Program but only 4 were able to meet the admission requirements. The campus gave two options for these four students, either to take up the Science Program at the main UPNG campus in Port Moresby or wait till next year. Two have confirmed to study at the main campus in Port Moresby while the other two will wait till next year,” said Dr. Parapi.
Dr. Parapi said the number of the students are expected to increase as they are still awaiting admission numbers for the School of Business and Public Policy which is expected to be known by this week.
Dr. Parapi confirmed that the registrations will resume on Monday with the orientation program to be held at the end of the week and classes will start next week at the two campuses- one in Warasaua and another at Yangoru School of Excellence. He also confirmed that five people with Masters qualification have expressed their interest to be tutors at the campus.
“Appointment will be done by UPNG,” said Dr. Parapi.
Meanwhile, Minister Maru also announced that Yangoru-Saussia District Development Authority had budgeted to subsidize 600 students from the District for the 2023 academic year.
“This subsidy is strictly only for students who have been accepted to study at recognized colleges and universities in the country. We will provide K1000 per student including those accepted to commence studies at the UPNG Yangoru-Saussia University Centre,” said Minister Maru.
