PNGTPA CREATES DEGREE PATHWAY FOR TOURISM PROFESSIONALS

By Michael Tanas

The Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority (PNGTPA) has created an opportunity for tourism industry professionals to pursue studies at the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) since 2021. This was an initiative created through a joint partnership between UPNG School of Business & Public Policy (UPNG SBPP) and PNGTPA.

The program, offered under UPNG SBPP, which is called Bachelor of Business & Management, Professional Studies in Tourism & Hospitality Management (BBM PS-THM) is a capacity-building initiative which is specifically designed for working-class professionals in the tourism and hospitality industry who wish to further their studies to a bachelor’s degree qualification. BBM PS-THM was made possible through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between PNGTPA and UPNG on the 17th of June 2020, with an aim to strengthen and improve overall capacity of human capital within the tourism sector in PNG. Currently, the program is offered through a classroom learning mode, however, going forward other means like online learning and distance mode can be applicable when proper facilities to support such initiative become available. The program is run on a full-time basis by SBPP, UPNG Main Campus in partnership with PNGTPA and is now in its third successive year in offering the program. The curriculum of the BBM PS THM is tailored to fit and meet the specific needs of the tourism industry. It also recognizes the knowledge, skills, capabilities, and professionalism a possible candidate may have acquired through the experience gained over the years of working within the industry.

More so, the program helps workingclass individuals from various tourism network to acquire a formal academic qualification that matches their knowledge and skills and thus contribute to improving their employability, lifelong learning, social inclusion, and self-esteem. It also bridges the gap between theory and practice, develops a higher level of tourism and hospitality management competency, and improves the confidence of tourism practitioners from both the public and private sectors in the assumption of their current and future roles and responsibilities.

Because of such excellent opportunity, the number of interested applicants annually increases; since the program’s establishment. For this year 2023 had seen an influx of more applicants applying to participate in the program. There was a total of 46 applications, of which 34 applicants were accepted and received offer letters for enrollment, but, only 10 students successfully enrolled. Most of the students who failed to enroll said that they could not afford the compulsory Tuition Fee of K3, 150; a few others gave work commitment reasons, but few did not enroll or withdrew after enrollment for personal reasons, including illness. Likewise in 2022, about 36 applications were processed, and only 17 applicants received acceptance letters. Of those 17 successful applicants, only 10 enrolled. As of 2021 when the first intake for BBM PS THM program was taken, more than 30 interested applicants submitted applications for processing. However, only 20 of them were accepted. Of those 20 accepted candidates, only 17 were enrolled. The increase in the number of applicants has shown that working people or professionals have realized the importance of the program and many have been made aware that such a program exists.

As per the MOU, PNGTPA meets most of the cost including administration cost, sustainability cost, lecturers and other costs including marketing and promotion. The fees structures are standard as prescribed by the University Council and PNGTPA has no control over it. Successful students are to pay only the tuition fees and boarding lodging fees if they wish to stay on campus. Boarding and lodging fees are optional.

BBM PS THM is a two years program offered on a full time basis per year. The minimum entry requirements are:

Gr. 10 graduates with complete certification and credentials from a recognized Secondary School with a GPA of at least 2 and have acquired at least 10 years of post-qualification experience in the Tourism and Hospitality Industry

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Gr. 12 graduates with complete certification and credentials from a recognized Secondary school, with a GPA of at least 2, and have acquired at least 5 years of post-qualification experience in the Tourism and Hospitality Industry

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Completed Diploma in Tourism and Hospitality from NTC recognized training institution, after completing Gr. 12 with a GPA of at least 2 and have acquired at least 3 years of post-qualification experience in the Tourism and Hospitality Industry in a supervisory or managerial position

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Completed Diploma in Tourism and Hospitality from NTC recognized training institution, after completing Gr. 10 with a GPA of at least 2 and have acquired at least 5 years of post-qualification experience in Tourism and Hospitality Industry in a supervisory or managerial position

Acquired first degree from any recognized University in any field with a GPA of at least 2 and have acquired at least three years of post-qualification experience in Tourism and Hospitality industry in a supervisory or managerial position