03/02/2022
Well done, Jim Harold Amos!
βPart 2: The Dual Policyβs Advantage and Challengesβ
By Jim Harold
The University of Goroka has a Dual Policy for grading students, when the Academic Senate in 2020 endorsed for implementation in 2021 the Unified 5-point Grade Point Average (GPA) system. University of Goroka has a dual policy where 5-point GPA system will apply to all new students admitted to UoG in 2021 while 4-point GPA system remains the status quo for all continuing students (Unified GPA System βAcademic Senate Memorandum 17/2/2021).
Tertiary Education Study Assistance Scheme (TESAS) provides financial assistance on behalf of the Government of Papua New Guinea (GoPNG) to eligible students of targeted tertiary education programs on a merit basis (TESAS Handbook, 2016). The minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) for TESAS eligibility is 2.5* (*Terms and conditions apply, Section 5; Institutions and Programs Approved for TESAS - Awardees are selected within program quota, number of applicants and funding, meaning not all student with qualifying GPA level will receive the award.). TESAS has four categories of scholarships:
1. Academic Excellence Scholarship (AES) for undergraduates.
2. Higher Education Contribution Assistance Scheme (HECAS) for undergraduates.
3. Postgraduate Scholarship
4. Gender Equity Scholarship
The 5-point GPA system increases the chance for students to score higher GPA:
A) to be eligible for TESAS, minimum requirement for TESAS will not change,
B) to apply to Graduate Development Programs (GDP) of reputable firms and organizations,
C) for student mobility between universities so that grades earned from one university has recognition at another so there is a common grade currency between PNG universities. Students who accumulated credits from one or more universities can graduate from another university undertaking program of studies in a university because of common credit points system implemented (PNG Vice Chancellors and President Committee, 2020). For instance, the Top 5% of PAUβs Science Foundation Year (SFY) are selected into the UPNG School of Medicine and Health Science.