21 May 2013

Former priest in PNG offers scholarships to aspiring leaders

4:45 am on 21 May 2013

A former Catholic priest in Papua New Guinea is offering high-achieving students the chance to gain a business or political science degree for free in the Philippines.

Joseph Chow, MBE, who is now a businessman, is funding the new Future Leader Scholarship as a way of continuing his good will in PNG, after he set up schools and medical centers in Milne Bay during his mission work as a priest.

His son Jensen Chow, who manages the scholarship through the Paradise International Education Consultancy, says the programme is for students who are aspiring to be leaders and want to shape the future of PNG.

"Those that want to do business, we help mentor them through their first businesses, through those that are doing a political strand, just hopefully we can have a hand through their personal development, and go home to Papua New Guinea to really give back and help develop the country as future leaders."

Jensen Chow says the new scholarship will initially be awarded to two applicants who will begin their degree in early June.