Port Moresby, Monday 26 January 2026
The National ICT Authority (NICTA) marks 10 years of its Girls in ICT Tertiary Scholarship Program with the announcement of two new scholarships, bringing the total to 10 active recipients in 2026, an initiative that continues to create opportunities for women in a field traditionally dominated by men.
Since its inception in 2016, the program has supported more than 40 women to pursue studies in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). Of these, 19 graduates have already secured jobs within the country’s ICT industry, contributing to national development goals and digital transformation priorities.
Acting CEO of NICTA, Mr. Lume Polume, emphasized the program’s impact and the organization’s long-term vision:
“Whatever we support within the program, we’ll ensure that these candidates stay within the ICT sector, either a job with us here or the industry within the ICT sector.”
“The scholarship covers tuition fees, startup stationery, boarding and lodging, and monthly stipends.”
Mr. Lume explained that one of the driving motivations behind the initiative is to promote female participation in ICT, while also ensuring inclusivity through NICTA’s broader Graduate Development Program, which considers both male and female applicants.
“NICTA started this program 10 years ago, and we’ve supported now 40 scholars, which is about 3 million kina of investment in that area. This initiative is to see more participation from girls and women in the ICT sector,” Mr. Lume said.
The program is closely aligned with national policies such as the Gender Equity and Social Inclusion (GESI) Policy, the PNG Digital Transformation Policy, and the National ICT Roadmap. These frameworks highlight the importance of empowering women and girls to overcome challenges in connectivity, accessibility, affordability, and capability.
NICTA is also working to ensure rural students are not left behind. According to Mr. Polume, the authority’s Consumer Affairs Division is collaborating with school SRCs across Papua New Guinea, and increased awareness in different media platforms to spread awareness of the scholarship.
Currently, eight scholars are enrolled—seven at the University of Technology and one at Divine Word University. With the addition of two new scholarships this year, the total is now ten active scholars in 2026.
Adding a personal perspective, Leonia Kari, a graduate of the Port Moresby School of Excellence and one of the scholarship recipients, shared her experience
“The program is a really good opportunity for girls who want to pursue degrees in ICT, because it is a male-dominated field. This gives us girls the confidence and support we need to push us in this career.”
“NICTA’s contribution in this as a government body in ICT is empowering to women all around the country to pursue careers in ICT.”
Looking ahead, Mr. Lume revealed that NICTA is finalizing its Graduate Development Program, set to be launched in the first quarter of 2026. He also encouraged eligible female students who completed Year 12 in 2025 to apply before the end of February.
“For those that are interested, the new intake for the 2027 scholarship is out now. You can go to the NICTA website, nicta.gov.pg, or see our social media channels,” he said.
The Girls in ICT Tertiary Scholarship continues to stand as a cornerstone of NICTA’s commitment to inclusivity, human capital development, and the advancement of Papua New Guinea’s digital future.