Young Ms. Martina Teko achieved her dream by graduating from the Papua New Guinea (PNG) University of Technology (UoT) recently with a bachelor’s degree, thanks to the NICTA Girls in ICT Tertiary Scholarship program.
Ms. Teko, who is one of eight recipients of the National Information and Communications Technology Authority’s (NICTA) Girls in ICT Tertiary Scholarship Program in the country, graduated during the 57th PNG UoT graduation ceremony in Lae city. She achieved a Bachelor of Business.
She described the scholarship as life changing, saying it created a pathway for young women like herself to pursue and build careers in the ICT sector.
“The NICTA Girls in ICT Scholarship is truly life changing. It is one of the most prestigious scholarship programs in PNG that continues to provide opportunities for young girls who want to pursue studies in ICT and eventually build a career in the field,” she said.
Like many students in higher education in the country, Martina was aware of the financial challenges. With both her parents currently unemployed, she knew pursuing tertiary studies would place a heavy burden on her family. However, the scholarship provided much-needed relief.
“It has significantly helped me with my tuition fees, which took the burden off my parents and siblings. That was a huge relief for me,” she said.
Her father, Rebon Teko Snr, who attended the graduation, expressed deep gratitude to God and NICTA for supporting his daughter throughout her studies.
“On behalf of my family, from the bottom of our hearts, we thank God for NICTA. As parents, we are not employed, and for NICTA to support my daughter from first year to fourth year with her tuition fees brought us great relief because we could not afford it,” he said.
Overcome with emotion, he added, “I don’t know how to repay you, but I sincerely thank you for your support. Thank you to the management, staff, and the entire corporate body behind this scholarship.”
Martina’s hard work earned her an impressive GPA, reflecting her dedication to a field she now sees as both a profession and a passion.
“I was able to stay focused on my studies and my passion in Business IT. It kept me grounded throughout my academic journey and strengthened values such as discipline, commitment, resilience, and hard work that were instilled in me during my upbringing,” she said.
She also expressed gratitude to NICTA for enabling her to achieve her qualification and begin her journey in the ICT industry.
“I’m grateful to NICTA. I now have a qualification that allows me to build a career in the ICT industry. I’m excited and look forward to contributing meaningfully to the development of the ICT sector in PNG and beyond by providing real IT solutions to business processes,” she said.
The NICTA Girls in ICT Tertiary Scholarship, established in 2016, has supported more than 40 women in ICT and STEM-related studies across the country.
The program covers tuition, accommodation, transport, book allowances, and stipends. It aligns with national goals on gender equity, digital transformation, and human capital development, while empowering young women to contribute to Papua New Guinea’s growing digital economy.
