New Zealand Scholarships - Papua New Guinea

Scholarships information for 2013 intake.

New Zealand Pacific Scholarships (NZPS)

Overview

The goal of the New Zealand Scholarships scheme in PNG is to contribute to equitable economic growth and poverty reduction in Papua New Guinea.  Through scholarships for tertiary education and skills development, New Zealand contributes to a growing cadre of well-educated and highly-skilled people with the necessary abilities and qualifications to contribute to positive development outcomes and generate and sustain economic growth. In addition, innovators and potential leaders can be identified and provided with opportunities to develop their skills and networks to champion and lead economic development in Papua New Guinea.  The New Zealand Scholarships target jointly agreed key priority areas (listed on the following pages) and provide an opportunity for people to obtain tertiary qualifications at participating New Zealand institutions. 

The New Zealand Aid Programme, which provides the New Zealand Scholarships, is part of the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The New Zealand Aid Programme’s mission is to support sustainable development in developing countries in order to reduce poverty and contribute to a more secure, equitable and prosperous world.  Scholarships PNG manages the New Zealand Scholarships (NZS) awards in Papua New Guinea, on behalf of the New Zealand Aid Programme.

Pre-application requirements

It is important that you meet the following requirements before submitting an application for a
scholarship. If you DO NOT meet the requirements, please DO NOT SUBMIT AN APPLICATION FOR A
SCHOLARSHIP.

• Are you a citizen of Papua New Guinea? If NO, do not apply
• Are you able to provide all academic documentary evidence (transcripts and certificates of completed secondary and tertiary education levels)? If NO, do not apply
• Are you (or your spouse) a current holder of an Australian or New Zealand Government scholarship, or have you held a scholarship to study anywhere overseas within the last two years? If YES, do not apply
• Do you hold citizenship or permanent resident status in New Zealand or Australia? If YES, do not apply
• Are you married or engaged to be married, to someone who holds or is entitled to hold citizenship or permanent residency in New Zealand or Australia? If YES, do not apply
• Have you ever been convicted of a serious crime, or are you currently facing legal action or police charges in any country? If YES, do not apply
• Will you be able to undertake medical tests to determine that you are healthy? If NO, do not apply.
• Is your intended study level a progressive step in your career path? If NO, do not apply.

In addition to the above requirements you will be required to:

• Have high level academic results
• Achieve high level results on English language tests in reading, writing, speaking and listening
• Have proof of sufficient funds to support your dependents.

If you cannot meet these requirements you should defer your application.

Priority sectors

The New Zealand Scholarships scheme is open for applications from PNG citizens wishing to study in a priority sector as listed below.  The following levels of study are supported by New Zealand Scholarships: Undergraduate diploma, Bachelor, Postgraduate Diploma, Master (research and/or coursework) and Doctoral (PhD).  Please check the eligibility of the relevant priority sectors as not all levels are available for study in all priority sectors.

Levels of Study: 

Diploma, Bachelor, Masters (research and/or coursework) and Doctoral (PhD)

* Diploma/Bachelor plus levels – means every other levels above Diploma/Bachelor
** Postgraduate plus levels – must have a first degree and doing courses building from it.

Selection criteria

The scholarships are highly competitive. Only 54 scholarships will be available to applicants from PNG for 2014. Successful applicants will be selected using the following criteria:

• Academic Merit: Grade Point Average at the highest academic level previously/currently achieved. Only those with GPA of 2.7 and above (or equivalent) will be short listed.
• Development priorities: Alignment of the course with the Priority Sectors
• Work Experience: Work experience in the chosen field of study, for those employed
• Gender Equity: Equal numbers of scholarships are awarded to women and men in each sector (diploma, undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD)
• Compliance: Applications must be accurately completed and include all required correctly certified supporting documentary evidence.

Course and Institution Research

It is important that you do your own research prior to submitting an application for a scholarship. Consider your specific area of expertise when researching a course and ensure you satisfy the admissions requirements. The course has to be also in line with the priority areas listed. When researching an appropriate course and institution, consider the location of the institution, environment and the cost of living in the state or area where that institution is located as this will have an impact on your study if you are awarded a scholarship.

New Zealand Insitutions

Applications can be submitted for study at any one of the following New Zealand institutions:

Auckland University of Technology
Lincoln University
Manukau Insitute of Technology
Massey University
Unitec
University of Auckland
University of Canterbury
University of Otago
Victoria University of Wellington
University of Waikato

Interviews and Tests

All short listed scholarship applicants will be required to attend an interview and undertake tests. Interviews for Diploma, Undergraduate and Masters by coursework applicants will be conducted in small groups. Masters by research and Doctoral applicants attend individual interviews. Scholarships PNG arranges tests to coincide with interviews. Further information will be provided to short listed applicants.

English Language Proficiency

All New Zealand institutions require English language test score for international students. All short listed PNG scholarship applicants are strongly encouraged to assess their English language levels and be prepared for the test before applying for a scholarship. This can be done by attempting practice tests. You can download free information about the tests at http://www.ielts.org or www.toefl.org/.
You can also order practice materials on the websites. To assess your skill levels and be prepared for an English language test, you should try the free sample question online at http://www.ielts.org or www.toefl.org/.
If you do not have access to internet, call Scholarships PNG on 321 1766 for assistance.

Application process

1. Complete all sections of the New Zealand Scholarships application form. New Zealand Scholarship application forms can be obtained from the New Zealand High Commission in Port Moresby or downloaded from these sites: www.nzembassy.com/papua-new-guinea or www.aid.govt.nz.
2. All PNG applicants: Complete Annexes 3 and 4 (attached to this information sheet) in support of Sections 7 and 9 of the Application form.
3. All PNG Public Servants: Complete Annex 2 (attached to this information sheet).
4. Section 8 of the application form will be completed if a candidate is shortlisted. However if you have done a test in the last two years, attach a certified copy.
5. If you are currently studying, provide a Confirmation Letter from the Registrar’s Office and an official transcript with grading schedule in support for Section 4.
6. Section 11 of the application form is to be completed by your employer for those employed and a Church Pastor/Priest/community leader for those unemployed.  For current students, your academic registrar will endorse your application.
7. For those working for the PNG government, you are required to also submit the approved public sector bid form for donor funded training, signed by the respective departmental head. The Training Bid Form can be obtained from the Department of Personnel Management.
8. Ensure certified copies of all required documents are attached – refer to the Application Checklist on page 2 of the New Zealand Scholarships application form.
9. At this stage, a copy of the personal pages of your passport will not be required. However if you do have a passport, attach a copy of the personal data page.
10. Submit your completed application and supporting documents to Scholarships PNG by 28 March 2013.  Applications received after 28 March 2013 will not be considered.

Note, communication will be via email therefore, you must have a working personal email address. DO NOT use another person’s email address. You can contact Scholarships PNG for more information on telephone: 321 1766.

Timelines

• Applications close: 5pm Friday, 28 March 2013
• Selections: May 2013
• Institution study placement requests: October 2013
• Pre-departure briefing programme: November 2013
• Mobilisation and departure to institution: December 2013 – February 2014

Reintegration and tracking awardees

As part of your application for a scholarship award, all applicants will need to provide information on how your study will contribute to Papua New Guinea’s development priorities. It is expected that awardees coming home to PNG will provide a return on the scholarship investment by applying the learning from their study to organisation or service improvements for their employer or by contributing to their community. Awardees returning to PNG are expected to commit to applying their new skills at work or to commit to find work to apply their new skills.

Awardees returning to PNG must provide information for analysis of scholarship impacts by participating in data collection and survey work over a period of 2 years to track the experiences of the awardees.

Awardee code of conduct

All successful scholarship recipients will be required to sign a Code of Conduct prior to departing for New Zealand. A copy of the signed Code of Conduct will be retained by Scholarships PNG. The Code sets accountability expectations for awardees and their accompanying dependents.

For the awardee, the Code specifies clear expectations about:

• Awardee academic performance
• Personal behavior when on award; and
• Staying in contact with Scholarships PNG

Any failure to comply with the Code by the awardee or their accompanying dependents prior to departure or when on award may result in termination of the scholarship and consequential return to PNG.
 

2013 New Zealand Pacific Scholarships: Application form (PDF 157kb)

Annexes II and III (PDF 168kb)
 

Contacts

For further information on scholarships, please contact:

Scholarships PNG
Ground Floor, Port Tower Building
Hunter Street
Private Mail Bag, Port Moresby, NCD
Papua New Guinea
Phone: (+675) 321 1766
Fax: (+675) 321 1828
Email: scholarships@scholarships.org.pg
Website: www.scholarships.org.pg

For information about Short Term Training Awards please contact:

New Zealand High Commission
P.O. Box 1051 Waigani
Port Moresby NCD
Papua New Guinea
Tel: (+675) 325 9444