IBSUniversity Signs 11 Scholarship MoUs with Secondary Schools in Eastern Highlands and Morobe Provinces

PORT MORESBY, PNG — July 14, 2026 — IBSUniversity, through the Nadesalingam Foundation for Education (NFFE), has successfully concluded a week-long provincial school visit, securing academic pathways for top-performing students in Kainantu, Eastern Highlands Province and Markham and Lae Districts of Morobe Province.

Official Document

From the 6th to the 10th of July, the IBSU marketing team carried out an intensive outreach program, visiting and executing official Scholarship Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with a total of nine secondary schools and two national schools of excellence. This milestone marks the very first time the NFFE scholarship expanded this opportunity to Morobe and Eastern Highlands Provinces.

In Eastern Highlands Province, the university established two scholarship MoUs with:

1.Kainantu Technical Secondary School

2.Aiyura National School of Excellence

In Morobe Province, nine additional schools signed the MoU:

1.Markham Valley Secondary School

2.Lae Christian Academy

3.Bugandi Secondary School

4.Busu Secondary School

5.Lae Secondary School

6.Bumayong Lutheran Secondary School

7.Malahang Technical Secondary School

8.Lae International School

9.Wawin National School of Excellence

The signed MoUs introduce tertiary pathways through the Sir Mick Nades Scholarships, including 50% up to 100% full-tuition-paid scholarships for degree programmes at IBSUniversity, and the potential for employment by IBSU after the recipients’ completion of studies.

School principals in all eleven schools expressed immense enthusiasm and gratitude for this initiative, highlighting the profound impact these scholarships will have on the lives of their students:

The principal of Markham Valley Secondary School, Mr. Billy Kaiyo, said Markham Valley Secondary School is one of the largest boarding schools in Morobe Province, and IBSUniversity’s partnership with them is crucial and opens a lot of opportunities for their students. Apart from the scholarship opportunity, Mr. Kayo was also impressed to know about the pathways for Grade 10 and Grade 12 school leavers into IBSUniversity through the IBS College of TVET:

“That is something that’s very, very unique to us. Having been in education for a very long time, this is one of the most unique opportunities I have ever heard of. We say, ‘Thank you to IBSUniversity for choosing us.'”

Mrs. Anna Mand, principal of Lae Christian Academy, was awestruck when presented with the MoU:

“Thank you, IBSUniversity, for considering Lae Christian Academy in your scholarship programme. It is too good to be true that you are giving our students the opportunity to study for a four-year degree program, all tuition paid. It is amazing.”

Bugandi Secondary School, once tainted with notoriety, has turned over a new leaf of change in recent years and has made positive progress, and IBSUniversity stands proud to be partners in their progress by providing such opportunities for their students. Bugandi Secondary School principal, Mr. Dennis Mails reflected on the history of the school and what it means for the students:

“Bugandi has come a long way from our past, and we are going through a course of change. We are so thankful that IBSUniversity has come on board to support our graduate students by offering this scholarship. Our students come from different backgrounds, some from a good upbringing, others from an upbringing that is not so good. With IBSU coming on board, I believe this scholarship will go a very long way in giving our students the opportunity to realise their dreams and walk the career pathways they have chosen. It is a very big blessing, and we are privileged and honoured to have IBSU with us on our journey to a better future.”

Beyond the formal signings, the IBSUniversity team held vital academic information sessions to share career paths, industry-ready skills, and campus life offered at IBSUniversity.

The team also extended its reach within Lae City to host specialised information sessions for students at the Lae FODE Centre, Lae Community College and the Lutheran Emmanuel School, ensuring flexible educational pathways remain accessible to all.

With 11 schools outside of Port Moresby onboard for the scholarship, IBSUniversity reinforces its vision to enrich lives through world-class education, training, and research and upholds its institutional commitment to bridging the higher-education gap and empowering the next generation of leaders across Papua New Guinea.