2016 UPNG Academic Year

The Student Services Division director, Garua Peni, confirmed with Loop PNG that the date for students to move into campus, for the second part of semester 2, 2016 academic year, is Jan 16.

“Next week is actually a flexible week,” says Peni.

“It’s week 7, which is consolidation. So there’ll be no classes.”

The director says students can turn up and sort themselves out during that time.

The students’ break started on Dec 19 last year, while the 2016 academic year will end on March 15.

(Loop file picture)

This follows the shooting of students by police on June 8 during an attempted peaceful protest to Parliament. Four male students were admitted to hospital with bullet wounds while several others suffered minor injuries, allegedly at the hands of law enforcers.

Academics from the university revealed to Loop PNG that most of the students who have withdrawn are first years.

A staff from the School of Humanities and Social Sciences said at least 20 first year students from her group pulled out after classes resumed on September 5.

“This is to show that we are still in a haus krai. We are not in the mood to attend classes,” student leader Christopher Kipalan announced to those on campus.

 “Pasin Melanesia na mipla peintim pes na kam,” he said. “This is a sign of respect to our fellow students who are still on the sick bed,” another student said.

 “We are not here to destroy anything. We want the administration to understand our plight and not force us to go to class.”

In a circular released last Friday, vice-chancellor Professor Mellam said: “If students absent themselves for more than two weeks then their continuation… becomes untenable after Friday, May 13, 2016.”

The students haven’t been to class for two weeks now. Since last Monday they have been boycotting classes, calling on Prime Minister Peter O’Neill to step aside and be investigated.

Speaking to Loop PNG yesterday, Mellam said: “The senate is the body that looks at academic governance of the University of Papua New Guinea, or for that matter, any other universities.