Fr Jan Czuba

Fr Jan Czuba reinstated as Acting Secretary

Minister responsible, Don Polye said he had implemented the National Court decision to reinstate Fr Czuba as the secretary until his contract has expired and his acting appointment is confirmed.
The National Executive Council through its decision number 116/2023 has appointed Fr Czuba and was gazette as Gazette No.G365.

Polye said he has met with management of DHERST and have formally announced the appointment of Fr Jan; and have been urged to abide by the Court orders and NEC decisions at all times.

Gov’t officials respect court decision

“Minister Polye and Acting Secretary Dr Hualupmomi have respected the recent National Court decision to reinstate Fr Czuba back to his position as Secretary of the Department,” PM Marape said.

“I commend Minister Polye and Acting Secretary Dr Hualupmomi for exercising mature leadership and respecting the court decision by allowing Fr Jan to return to work.

Fr Jan pays tribute to Sir Michael

The tribute service was held in early March in the administration building of the newly established Western Pacific University campus in Ialibu-Pangia District of the Southern Highlands Province.

WPU's executive chair, Professor Fr. Jan, emphasised that the late Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare was passionate about improving the country’s education system.

New developments for higher education: Secretary

Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (DHERST) secretary, Fr Jan Czuba, said the Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) will come into being, whilst at the same time they are working on a program of digitalisation that will ultimately see the introduction of i-Libraries to all higher education institutions. 

Higher Education tells UPNG not to charge TESAS fee

Fr Jan’s statement follows complaints by parents and guardians that students attending the University of Papua New Guinea were made to pay full fees before registering.

The parents were told that the Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology has not deposited any funds into the UPNG accounts. Therefore, even though a student is on government scholarship, K16,492 has to be paid in full – K4,242 is compulsory as Admission while K12,250 for boarding and lodgment.

Gr 12 selection set for December

The selection will be done instantly in real time through the National Online Selection System.

The National Online Application System and the National Online Selection System allowed 28,582 Grade 12 students to register to apply online.

Of this number, 90 percent have made their choices while the other 10 percent have until December 13th to list their preferred choices of tertiary institutions and programs.

Enrolment anticipated for new SHP university

Secretary Fr Jan Czuba said the university’s academic programs will be finalized in 2019.

The Southern Highlands university is expected to be a modern 21st century institution similar to those in the developed countries, with internationally accredited programs.

Professors will teach online from different parts of the world while tutors will be on ground.

Projected to be the biggest university in the country, it is estimated to enrol 6000 under-graduates and 4000 post graduates.

(Fr Jan Czuba filepic)

Urgent education reforms underway

Revising the Grade 12 School Leaver or Application Form is amongst these reforms.

Both agencies are optimistic to introduce the new and revised school leaver application forms by April and introduced for current year 12 students to use this year.

The current school leaver form is said to be obsolete and needs to be revised to suit the upgraded selection system.

The school leaver form at the moment limits year 12 students to only 2 choices.

The new application form will allow students 5 preferences for higher education institutions.

UPNG faculty breached selection policy: Higher education

Secretary of Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, Fr Jan Czuba, said severe actions will be taken against the UPNG School of Business and Public Policy for this malpractice.

Fr Jan said this issue was brought to their attention by affected students and through the online selection software, Higher Education Department was able to get to the bottom of this.

Cut down on expenditure: Fr Jan

The Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology Secretary, Fr Jan Czuba, made the statement during the announcement of UPNG’s 2018 fees.

“We have to look at the way the universities are operating now to make them more efficient and to cut down the expenses,” Fr Jan said.

He also made it clear that not only can the government assist but the universities themselves have to do some work to help out.