Indian government offers 1000 university scholarships for Papua New Guinean’s

The government of India is offering Papua New Guinean students' fifty percent funded scholarship at the Parul University in India.

India's High Commissioner to India H.E Shri S. Inbasekar on Monday said India has been offering scholarships to countries in Oceania for over 60 years and PNG is beginning to participate in these programs.

He said India has the largest talent pool in Information Technology, mathematics, education manpower and teaching networks and systems that governs the education systems in the world and PNG can learn from them.

"We have achieved alot in mathematics and I can assure you India will provide better education and groom you with decipline to become quality citizens.

"In 2028 India anticipates becoming the third largest economy in the world after US and China and we want PNG to learn from some of the best technology we have,"Inbasekar said.

Parul University's Regional Scholarship Coordinator John Yandi said in 2023 there were total of 64 students [5 master's and 59 undergraduate programs] were sent.

"For this year the Indian government through Parul University has offered 1,000 spaces but so far we have 350 students registered," Mr Yandi said.

The scholarship will enable students to pay 50% of the tuition fee which does not include Visa and airfares.

Yandi said apart from the visa and ticketing, an individual student is expected to spend less that K20,000.

"We will work to ensure those who registered have fees and visa ready so we will send them in batches beginning in June this year," Mr Yandi added.

Meanwhile Education Minister Lucas Dekena said PNG only has the capacity to cater for 18,000 grade 12 students of a total 32,000 every year.

He is grateful to the Indian government for the scholarships it is providing.