Institutional Registration
The National Standards for Higher Education Institutional Registration was approved in principle by the National Higher and Technical Education Board (NHTEB) on the 13th of October 2016 and formally adopted on the 29th of March 2017.
Under the Act, all Papua New Guinea institutions offering higher education qualifications must be registered. These requirements are for the initial establishment of a Papua New Guinea Higher Education Institution.
Under Section 29 of the Act, if the proposed institution is public (state owned), full details must be provided to DHERST as soon as practicable, to allow DHERST to report through the Minister to relevant government authorities.
Under Section 53 of the Act, if the proposed institution is private (non-State), it must submit an expression of interest to DHERST.
Under Section 104 of the Act, if the proposed university is public (State owned), full details must be provided to DHERST as soon as practicable, to allow DHERST to report through the Minister to relevant government authorities.
Under Section 113 of the Act, if the proposed university is private (non-State), it must submit an expression of interest form to DHERST.
All of the Standards must be met for registration to be granted.
Registration can be granted with conditions that the institution must implement. Established institutions should take note of the Guidance when undergoing an external quality assessment against these National Standards for Higher Education Institutional Registration. The expectation when external quality assessments are conducted is that all required planning will have been completed and relevant plans and policies will have been implemented.
Overseas universities operating or intending to operate in PNG must obtain recognition under the Act but are not required to undertake university registration.
A separate application form to seek recognition of an overseas university
is available from DHERST. Section 123 of the Higher Education (General
Provisions) Act 2014 sets out the qualifications for recognition of an
overseas higher education institution.
planned.
Standards
1. The institution is committed to honesty and integrity in higher education.
2. The institution is guided by clearly stated purposes and is appropriately planned.
3. The institution has sufficient, secured financial resources for establishment and ongoing financial sustainability of its operations.
4. The institution has effective governance mechanisms.
5. The institution has appropriate management structures, processes and
policies, including academic policies.
6. The institution’s programmes, teaching and assessment are adequate to achieve the expected student learning outcomes.
7. The institution’s teaching and administrative personnel are appropriate in number, qualifications, experience and skill.
8. The institution’s students have access to appropriate levels of social, welfare and academic support services.
9. The institution has effective processes to provide, maintain and modernize learning resources.
10. The institution demonstrates a commitment to equity goals and strong engagement with stakeholders.
Standards 11 and 12 are specifically for Universities:
11. The university awards its own qualifications in at least two fields of study and offers programmes from entry level to postgraduate studies.
12. The university’s staff must undertake research leading to the generation of new knowledge
Download National Standards for Higher Education Institutional Registration (PDF Format)