Higher Education Research Science and Technology (DHERST) Secretary Fr Jan Czuba has come out to explain why students, even with high Grade Point Average (GPA), are not selected to tertiary institutions, under the digital selection system. Secretary Fr Czuba said that the manual system took more than 2 months before the name of the students are in tertiary institutions and the total cost of the system used was more than K8.5 million, but he explained that this approach for the selection has now changed to digital. Fr Czuba further emphasized how the system has changed from manual to digital and how students were selected based on their GPA, and the university criteria. “The university has the authority to enter the criteria to the system and nobody else. On top of that, the institution has 68 different criteria they can use, and they inserted quotas of how many students for each program they can take.” He also indicated the time frame it will take for the students to be selected when the Minister activates the selection process. “What happens when our Minister formally activates the selection, is that it will take around 32 seconds, that's all and not two months,” he said indicating the quick processing of the digital system. “On top of that, students who are interested in, they log in and now have access to the system and after the selection, the students will have automatic information. Congratulations you were selected to this institution.” Fr Czuba said that the system is set up in such a way that students selected into tertiary institutions are selected from a GPA of 4.0. Fr Czuba then gave an example in his speech of how the tertiary institutions do their selection in regard to the online selection. “If the institution for example has 75 quotas, that's the number they can take for specific program, the system will pick up the students with the GPA 4.0 then go to GPA 3.9 and might stop in GPA 3.7 and the quotas are filled,” said Fr Czuba. He further explained that this will now mean students with a GPA of 3.5 may not be selected despite having performed well.

The 14th Chinese medical team are in Port Moresby and are set to assist in health mission at the Port Moresby General Hospital. On December 4th they visited the charitable organization Life PNG Care to conduct a free medical screening for children with congenital heart disease (CHD). Their objective is early identification and diagnosis of CHD in children to allow for early treatment period. The team consists of 8 committed healthcare professionals in urologic specialist, a breast specialist, a neurosurgery specialist, surgical nursing specialist and line up professionals in neonatology, cardiology, nephrology and an expert in traditional Chinese medicine specializing in acupuncture and tuina in their respective fields. It is led by the affiliated Yonggchuan Hospital of Chongqing Medical University that includes specialist from 4 partnering institutions that are Chongquing Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Chongquig Medical and Pharmaceuatical College, Chongquing University Cancer Hospital and Rongchang People’s hospital. This initiative allows for the people of Papua New Guinea to experience the benefits of traditional Chinese medical practices. China’s initial medical aid program in the South Pacific began in 2002, with the Chongqing Municipal Health Commission formally known as Municipal Health Bureau, dispatched by the National government to send medical teams to Papua New Guinea, marking China’s first medical initiative in the South Pacific. Each medical team comprises 10 members who serve as consultant doctors and nursing experts at the Port Moresby General Hospital. Chongqing had dispatched 13 batches of medical teams to PNG that total up to 129 personnel by September 2024. They are an addition to the healthcare workforce in the country in making a significance contribution to quality medical care for all Papua New Guineans, as they are also working with local doctors and nurses to improve the quality of healthcare in Papua New Guinea as well as sharing their knowledge and skills with local health care workers.

The Lae Biscuit Pawa 9s Cup tournament was officially launched today at the Lae Rugby League ground, featuring five (5) days of rugby league action from 18th to 22nd of December. Prize money for the tournament winning teams for the men's division is K20,000 for first prize, second prize is K10, 000, third price is K6,000, and fourth prize is K4,000. Prize money for the women's winning team first place is K9,000, second is K6,000, third is K3,000 and the fourth place is K1,000. The event is proudly sponsored by Lae Biscuit Company, marking the 10th year Lae Biscuit Company is hosting the rugby league 9s challenge in Lae city. This tournament highlights their ongoing commitment to developing rugby league in Papua New Guinea and creating pathways for emerging talents. Teams confirmed to play are 32 men's teams and 12 women's teams to compete during the 5 days of tournament at Lae Rugby League ground. All registered teams for both men and women have been grouped into pools and will be playing 3 games each. Round 1 and 2 will be played tomorrow, Wednesday 18th December, and Round 3, the elimination round, will be played from Thursday 19th to Saturday 21st December. Only teams to qualify for the elimination rounds will be the first and the second team in each pool. The Pawa 9s is significant as it serves as a key selection platform for the Lae Snax Tigers squad, hence it is also supported by Prima, Raumai 18 and Seeto Kui. Meantime, at the launch today, food rations and Pawa 9s merchandise were distributed to each team.

Kina Securities has announced a leadership change, appointing Ivan Vidovich as the new Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Vidovich, currently the Chief Transformation Officer (CTO), will succeed Greg Pawson who will step down on January 1, 2025. Pawson will remain as an advisor until July 2, 2025. Kina Securities Non-Executive Chairman Isikeli Taureka expressed gratitude for Pawson’s contributions to the company, highlighting the bank’s growth and increased market capitalization under his leadership. “Ivan knows Kina and our key stakeholders very well, having been our CTO for more than five years. Ivan is a seasoned change and transformation executive with a track record of growing core businesses alongside digital innovation. He has been a driving force behind Kina’s recent growth, particularly in non-interest income which now contributes around 50% of group revenues. The Board is confident that he is the right person to deliver our dual goals of organic growth and business model innovation.” He also noted that Vidovich was selected from an international pool of candidates, demonstrating the company’s commitment to finding the best possible leader. “The Board conducted an international search for a new MD and CEO as part of proper and appropriate MD and CEO succession planning, and from a very impressive international pool, we are pleased to be able to appoint an internal candidate.” Kina Securities new incoming Acting MD & CEO, Ivan Vidovich expressed his appreciation for the new incoming position in the organization. “I am honored to be stepping into the role of MD and CEO for the most innovative bank in the Pacific region. With the Board’s support, my goal is for Kina to be the most dynamic and progressive financial services organization in the region, contributing to the prosperity of the markets we serve. I am excited to guide the organization through its next stage of strategic growth for the benefit of our customers and all stakeholders.” He has over 25 years of senior leadership and executive experience in the financial services and logistics sectors across Australia, Asia, Europe and the Pacific.

The one-month city warden initiative that was launched by National Capital District (NCD) Governor Powes Parkop in response to safety concerns in Port Moresby city has seen positive developments so far. The initiative implemented is in partnership with Road Traffic Authority (RTA), NCD Police and city security firms. The city warden's initiative seeks to foster a secure urban environment at enhancing public safety to critical transit points throughout the city. There are total of 150 wardens deployed across 2 key locations which are Gordons and Boroko currently. Governor Parkop's message to the people in the city is to turn it around and give security, safety and confidence back to the rest of the city. Mr. Parkop said that this initiative is a trial period to assure city residents that NCDC is doing something to ensure public safety prevails. “We mean business, we are serious,” said Mr. Parkop. Parkop further emphasized that they are not here to replace regular police and RTA but to support and provide a secure and safe environment for people to move about without fear inside the city. “They are to provide support to regular police and to RTA and they are there to ensure that when our people turn up at the bus stops, markets and shopping malls, have the highest of support and security to make sure your security, especially physical security is assured and guaranteed,” said Parkop. Praises and feedback of their performance by the people in the city, highlighted their role in promoting safety, security and wellbeing within the city's allocated area.

Three top performing students in the national examination in the country were bestowed the Measurement Service Division (MSD) awards as part of the official launching of the 2024 National Examination results yesterday in Port Moresby city. The Secretary for Education Dr. Uke Kombra, who was also present with the Minister of Education Lucas Dekena during the official launching of the 2024 national examination results at Port Moresby National High, emphasis on giving some form of recognition to not just the schools but students too. “We started last year for grade 10 and 12 and this year we have to continue. Only the top 3 will be announced for each subject," said the Secretary. Grade 10 top 3 awards for 12 subjects, grade 12 top 3 awards for 16 subjects and grade 12 stem for 6 subjects respectively. Grade 10 subjects are English, Mathematics, Personal Development, Science, Social Science, Business studies, Agriculture, Arts, Design & Technology, Home Economics, Practical Skills and Information Technology. Grade 12 subjects are Language & Literature, Applied English (which is only taught in Kimbe Grammar School in West New Britain), Advance Mathematics, General Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Applied science, Geology, Economics, Business studies, Accounting, Geography, History, Legal Studies and Information Communication. Grade 12 STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) subjects are Maths, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Technology and Engineering. The examination list table is the publication for all the school's exam results so everyone will know how their school has performed. “Awarding of top schools in the country does not mean that every school has failed.” He said that last year it was published early but this year has been slow because of grade 8 results, but it will be published soon. “Every year by 31st of March, we will announce every school's result of its exam so each school will know and hold the principal and school board accountable or the students accountable for the results of their schools,” said Dr. Kombra. To conclude, Dr. Kombra expressed gratitude towards the Department of Education MSD for their hard work in meeting the deadline for launching of the national examination results by the Minister.

Governor for Enga Province, Sir Peter Ipatas has questioned the Education Minster, Lucas Dekena, on the eliminating the grade 8 and grade 10 exams, stating it would have implications on the quality of education in the country. “Who is advising us to get rid of exams? the Govenor questioned. "We had issues with elementary education where the people imposed that system on us that affected quality of education in our country.” He asked Minister Dekena to seriously revisit this decision, which he stressed is not in the best interest of the country. “How are you going to assess the performance?" "Everybody will play around and not concentrate on getting quality education and doing their best in school.” In response to Sir Ipatas' questions, Mr. Dekena explained that schools will continue to have exams, but exams will not be the basis for failing students at grade 8 and grade 10. “Exams will continue to monitor the performance of student but will not be used as a means to leave some of the students out and some of the students to go through.” He further said that the ACE curriculum will be introduced at grade 1 for quality learning for the young children to proceed further into higher grades.

The University of Papua New Guinea Lae City Student Association (UPNG LCSA) team is wrapping up their informative awareness program called Project Woke, today. The project, which started on Tuesday 26th November at the Malahang Technical Secondary School, was about educating and informing secondary schools in Lae city about the requirements and eligibility of getting into the UPNG. All information provided are primarily based on the requirements of UPNG. It is about UPNG Grade Point Average (GPA), the different schools within the campus, different courses each school offers, post graduate opportunities for working professionals and alternate options like UPNG Open Campus (OC). The funding for the project came from the LCSA fundraisings and partial funding from the Officer of the MP for Lae, John Rosso. UPNG LCSA President, Samuel Ainui and his team partnered with Tauram Morobe Medical Student Association (MMSA) and interested individuals to carry out the awareness in the city. “The Project Woke is like a mini tertiary education expo for secondary students to know what courses are offered at UPNG and the requirements to get into UPNG,” Ainui said. He said that most of the students are not aware of the minor courses offered at UPNG because the interest is in their major course only, and information about broadening and minor courses are a requirement at a tertiary institution in which most of secondary students are not aware of. The schools that took part in the awareness program are Malahang Technical Secondary School, Busu Secondary School, Bugandi Secondary School and Lae Secondary School. “We went to enquire at each secondary school administration for the Project Woke awareness and to tell them what the awareness is about and how this information will help the students.” The aim of the project is to increase the number of Morobe students entering tertiary education by providing clear and accessible information about the university’s requirements.