The ongoing collaboration between PNG schools and India's Parul University has been praised by Prime Minister James Marape for facilitating a prosperous scholarship program for a select group of recent Grade 12 graduates from PNG. In a meeting with Parul University representatives earlier at Melanesia Haus, Prime Minister Marape expressed his satisfaction with the scholarship program's current state, citing information from local resource people and presentations from the Parul University team. Last month, 120 students from Hela Province schools departed for Parul University in India in a historic event. The majority of the successful students were selected from Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) and Flexible, Open, and Distance Education (FODE) centers. Following Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent state visit to PNG, the PNG and Indian governments formed an education partnership agreement that made this feasible. Recognizing the collaboration, PM Marape urged more PNG students to enroll at Parul University in the future. “The number of Grade 12 students graduating every year in PNG is far greater than the quota or space available for them in tertiary institutions in PNG, resulting in a lot of them missing out.” “Since my government took office in 2019, our aim has been to create different pathways and avenues so that no child gets left behind in the education space of PNG.” “If there is no space for them in PNG, we can go overseas through partnership arrangements.” “In order to give some of our best students in the nation the chance to experience both the international working environment in a variety of professional fields and prestigious universities abroad, we developed the scientific, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) curriculum.” “We have sent groups of students to China, India, and the United States.” “Furthermore, we are creating avenues for PNG students to pursue higher education abroad through our bilateral ties with our friendly partners, such as India.” “I truly acknowledge Parul University for this partnership that has been fruitful with our students progressing well.” We look forward to expanding on this going forward.” Minister for Higher Education, Research, Science, and Technology Kinoka Feo was also present at the event. He thanked Dr. Devanshu Patel, the president of Parul University, and his team, and they talked about the different study programs that Parul University offers and that PNG students can pursue in relation to the country's development needs. Given that the provinces are located in key resource project areas, the scholarship agreement with Parul University will now be expanded. Meantime, Southern Highlands Province is considering supporting and joining the program. Southern Highlands Governor William Powi and Hela Governor Philip Undialu both attended the meeting. Prime Minister Marape also encouraged Parul University to partner with PNG universities such as Western Pacific University in Southern Highlands Province to deliver certain programs under the partnership, thus enabling people-to-people and knowledge-sharing between PNG and India to enhance greater cooperation between the two nations.