Twenty-five (25) students from 23 secondary schools in the National Capital District and Central Province have been awarded scholarships worth a total of K430,000 under the International Training Institute’s (ITI) 2026 Scholarship Program.
The scholarships, presented by ITI Chairman and Co-Founder Senthil Kumaran Sentheyval at the ITI Badili Campus yesterday, will assist students to pursue certificate, diploma and degree studies, with the funding applied directly toward tuition fees.
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Mr. Sentheyval said the scholarship initiative, now in its 15th year, has supported more than 1,200 students nationwide and remains focused on helping academically capable students who face financial barriers to further education.
Speaking during the presentation ceremony, Mr. Sentheyval emphasized the importance of education to national development.
“Education is critical for national development. Any country that develops needs knowledge and education. That is the only way we are going to achieve development,” he said.
Mr. Sentheyval said the scholarship recipients were selected from 23 secondary schools, including five schools from Central Province and 18 from the National Capital District.
He said ITI works closely with participating schools during the selection process, with students required to meet the institution’s entry requirements while also being assessed on financial need and recommendations from their schools.
“The minimum requirement is our entry level. We also consider students who are achieving good grades but are missing out because of affordability and limited facilities,” he said.
Mr. Sentheyval said the scholarship program has expanded beyond Port Moresby and is now offered through ITI campuses in Lae, Kimbe, Alotau and Goroka.
Responding to questions from PNG SUN about future expansion into other provinces and district centers, Mr. Sentheyval said ITI is already serving students from various regions across Papua New Guinea through its growing network of campuses.
He said education remains ITI’s primary focus, particularly for students unable to access higher education because of financial constraints, travel difficulties and limited space at institutions.
“At the end of the day, we believe in education. There are many people missing out because of affordability, space limitations and other factors,” he said.
Mr. Sentheyval revealed that ITI currently operates six campuses, with four registered campuses already in operation and a fifth registration expected this year.
“One of the reasons ITI has expanded is because many people cannot travel to access education. Affordability remains a major issue, and that is one of the reasons we have scholarships,” he said.
He encouraged young people to pursue education through both vocational and higher education pathways.
Mr. Sentheyval also confirmed that ITI will continue providing scholarships to winners of the Vocal Fusion competition, as it did last year.
“Just like last year, we are doing it again this year and will continue each year,” he said.
The value of the full certificate program is K4,300 per student, with the scholarship amount deducted from students’ fees. Some recipients are enrolled in diploma programs, while one recipient is enrolled in a bachelor’s program.
Mr. Sentheyval said ITI may consider expanding full scholarship opportunities to diploma students in the future.
Regarding campus expansion, he said ITI is exploring the development of a larger city-style campus facility in Port Moresby to accommodate increasing student enrolment.
“We are looking at future developments, including additional buildings and facilities. Ultimately, it is about providing quality facilities and ensuring accessibility for students,” he said.
The ITI Scholarship 2026 presentation concluded with congratulations to all scholarship recipients as they prepare to continue their studies.