On Friday, 21 March 2025, IBSUniversity organized a workshop on Savings and Budgeting Techniques for first-year students from the School of Accounting & Finance, Information Technology, and Economics & Development Studies. The event was led by the university’s Guidance Counsellor and lecturer, Dr. Muthu Prabha Venkitachalam.

Dr. Muthu Prabha encouraged students to make the most of every learning opportunity, saying, “Modern industry values professionals who show a proactive drive for continuous learning.”

The workshop, held at the university library, provided over 200 students with practical skills in financial planning, saving, and budgeting. This event is part of IBSUniversity’s ongoing effort to equip students with the skills they need for both their professional careers and personal lives.

The session was led by Mr. Manikandan Sathyamoorthy, a senior lecturer in the School of Accounting and Finance, and Ms. Everlyn Iniga Norman, a lecturer in the School of Economics and Development Studies. The workshop began with a discussion on savings and budgeting from a student’s perspective. Mr. Manikandan presented an overview of the current state of financial literacy in Papua New Guinea, using statistics to help students understand the challenges many people face in managing their money.

An interactive session and practical activities prepared students to use these techniques in real-life situations. The workshop was designed to be engaging, with students divided into small groups of 5-8 members, each group simulating a family unit. This approach encouraged teamwork and allowed them to work together on hands-on tasks.

Group activities concentrated on three main areas: preparing a savings plan, reducing expenses by prioritizing needs, and creating a budgeting plan. Through these exercises, students learned to set realistic financial goals, manage their spending effectively, and identify ways to cut unnecessary expenses.

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