From Paper to Progress: NCD Governor's TVET Scholarship Goes Digital

Cheque presentation in 2023 by Hon. Powes Parkop LLB LLM, Governor for NCD and Hon Justin Tkatchenko, Foreign Affairs Minister and Member for Moresby South

Since 2009, more than 20,000 students in Port Moresby have benefitted from the NCD TVET & School Fee Assistance Program, an initiative of Honourable Powes Parkop LLB LLM, Governor for NCD. For over a decade, the program relied on manual, paper-based application forms. Applicants would physically collect, fill out, and submit printed forms—often waiting in long lines or traveling across the city to get their documents in.

While this approach helped many access technical and vocational education, it also came with challenges. Forms were frequently misplaced or submitted with errors, communication with applicants was limited, and many deserving youth never heard about the opportunity in time. As the number of applicants grew each year, it became clear: the system needed an upgrade.

💻 The Shift to Online: A New Era in 2024

In 2024, the NCD TVET Scholarship team made a bold move—transitioning to an online application platform for the first time in the scholarship’s history. This step into the digital space was guided by the need for:

• Greater transparency

• Faster processing

• Broader access across Port Moresby and beyond

• Accurate data collection

• A more inclusive and efficient system

Applicants could now fill in their details from their mobile phones, tablets, or computers. This change meant no more printing or scanning documents, and no more trips to the city to lodge forms. Confirmation emails were sent automatically, and all applications were tracked and stored securely.

🚀 Continuing Innovation in 2025

Building on the success of 2024, the 2025 online application system was made even better—with simplified forms, better instructions, and mobile-friendly access. Over 3,000 applicants registered through the digital portal this year, marking the highest number of submissions in the scholarship’s history.

The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive:

✅ Easier and quicker to apply

✅ Less cost for applicants

✅ Greater reach to youth in all wards

✅ Improved communication and confirmation

To ensure no one is left behind, the TVET team also partnered with electoral ward officers, who helped verify recipients’ identities and locations, and provided support to students who lacked digital literacy or internet access.

🌱 A System Built for the Future

A young visitor to the NCD TVET booth during the 2024 NCD Inaugural Youth Summit & Expo

By going digital, the NCD TVET Scholarship is not just keeping up with the times—it’s preparing for the future. The transition allows the program to grow, evolve, and better serve the youth of Port Moresby.

As we look toward 2026 and beyond, the goal is to make the scholarship more accessible, transparent, and responsive—with digital tools that empower students, connect communities, and deliver real impact.

Whether you're a first-time applicant or a returning one, the message is clear: the NCD Governor’s TVET Scholarship is here to support you—and now, it’s just a click away.

2025 scholarships are closed. We look forward to your application in 2026.