OHE to issue tickets to sponsored students only

Students attending the University of Papua New Guinea and PNG University of Technology, who are covered under the Government scholarship for this year, will be provided with tickets to return to classes.

The Department of Higher Education and Research, Science and Technology secretary Professor David Kavanamur made this statement in a media release.

He added that all international students from Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, under the bilateral scholarship agreements between the PNG Government and their respective governments, will be issued tickets if they wish to return.

Tickets will be collected at Air Niugini offices nationwide. 

Solomon Islands High Commissioner to PNG, Barnabas Anga, earlier told Loop PNG that all students from his country will make individual choices on whether to return or not. This is because they were sent home after student protests turned violent in both state-run universities.

Prof Kavanamur said his department is currently liaising with UPNG and Unitech administration to hold a reconciliation ceremony at the two campuses. This is to ensure an effective resumption of classes and completion of the 2016 academic year.

UPNG had its 2016 learning and teaching calendar terminated by its academic senate following prolonged student protest, and at Unitech, it was temporarily suspended following the killing of a student in his room.

In less than a week after being appointed as the Minister for Higher Education and Research, Science and Technology, Francis Marus made the announcement for classes to resume at UPNG.

At Unitech, it was a decision of its academic senate.

All self-sponsored students will make their own way to both universities.

(UPNG students during their boycott in June.)

Author: 
Charles Yapumi