Jiwaka spends over K2 million on tertiary fees for 1,200 students

Stanley Wantakson, Deputy Provincial Administrator for Jiwaka handing over the school payment receipt to Acting Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr Kate O'Neill at the Innovative University of Enga yesterday on campus with the students witnessing the important occasion (NBC News)

For the first time, the Jiwaka Provincial Government has allocated over K2.4 million from its 2024 internal revenue to support tertiary students with tuition fees.

A total of K2, 414, 000 has been distributed under the province’s School Fee Assistance Program to 1,207 Jiwaka students enrolled in nine universities and tertiary institutions across the country. Each student received K2,000 to support their studies in the second semester.

The amount was part of the K4, 625,000 total budgeted for the program, with K2, 211, 000 still reserved for students in colleges.

Deputy Provincial Administrator and Program Chairman Mr Stanley Wandakson confirmed the following payments made to the universities:

1. University of Papua New Guinea [UPNG] – K750,000

2. University of Technology [UOT] – K238,000

3. University of Goroka [UOG] – K892,000

4. Divine Word University [DWU] – K188,000

5. Pacific Adventist University [PAU] – K66,000

6. PNG University of Natural Resources and Environment [UNRE] – K42,000

7. Western Pacific University [WPU] – K8,000

8. Innovative University of Enga [IUE] – K184,000

9. Institute of Business Studies University [IBSU] – K46,000

Mr Wandakson said the Kaiwi and Kogen-led government is focused on improving human resource development in the province.

“This tuition fee assistance program is aimed at promoting academic excellence, commitment to studies, and supporting families by reducing the financial burden of school fees,” he said.

“It is also intended to build a skilled workforce that meets the needs of local industries and contributes to socio-economic development.”

He clarified that the program only supports students enrolled in DHERST-recognized institutions and registered for the 2025 academic year, with valid student IDs or deposit slips.

Meanwhile, before the start of the second semester, a team from the Jiwaka Provincial Government travelled to the universities nationwide to personally deliver the cheques to the respective institutions.

The Innovative University of Enga and Western Pacific University were the final stops on Wednesday, 16 July, where payments were handed over.