Drastic cost cutting measures by the Papua New Guinea government will adversely affect students wanting tertiary education next year.
Dr Philip Kereme, the Director- General of the Office of Higher Education says tertiary institutions are now feeling the effects of the cutback which could result in a decline in scholarships to students.
Dr Kereme says he has advised PNG's universities to make do with what they have in order to complete the academic year as the OHE does not have money to pay them.
"I think that is something that we are now trying to assess - how the financial implications of those cuts are. With all countries now going through tough economic times and all government institutions and departments affected, but for us we maintain students and they are on campus and we are beginning tro feel the cuts."
Dr Kereme says there are currently 9-thousand scholarship students.