The University of Papua New Guinea will be inaugurating its new Chief of Security, Matthew Kipott, on Wednesday.
In a statement, the university says: “This position is a crucial one for the protection of University properties and ensuring the safety of staff, students, the University Community and visitors to our campus, as Mr. Kipott is the head of the University’s Security Service and the University Commercial Security Service (UCSS).
“As you would have witnessed during the student boycott of classes and student unrest from May through August, the University’s security personnel were placed under considerable pressure to contain the situation.
“Mr. Kipott brings with him a successful military background together with specialised security training in Australia, America and England. He also was the Security Coordinator for the XV Pacific Games Village at the University in 2015, which entailed ensuring the safety of some 4,400 athletes and officials.
“He brings with him a strong discipline ethic, and is charged with moulding Uniforce into a security organisation that is professional and equal to the best commercial security teams.”
Kipott is from Manus Province.
His official inauguration is set for Drill Hall, main Waigani Campus, at 8.30am.
(Uniforce personnel escorting vice-chancellor Prof Albert Mellam during last year’s boycott)