2016 UPNG Boycott

More than 50 police vehicles entered the University of Papua New Guinea’s main Waigani campus at around 4.45am today.

Police Commissioner Gari Baki told Loop PNG that police have been on ground since 3am.He wouldn’t disclose the exact number of law enforcers deployed.

The students removed the blockade at the main entrance of the Waigani campus because they decided that it was illegal.

“Let them come in and attend classes,” the student leader said.

Another student asked: “If they’re all here then who’s on the streets?”

Police Commissioner Gari Baki told Loop PNG that police have been on ground since 3am.He wouldn’t disclose the exact number of law enforcers deployed.

They are there to "restore normalcy", Baki stated.

The issue of them being armed is as per their "duty requirements".

The operation contains all four mobile squads in POM, general duties and HQ staff, as well as Bomana staff  who will be on duty.

Students, on the other hand, are intimidated by the presence of the armed personnel.

All the students are now gathered at the Forum Square.

Speaking as a concerned citizen at the UPNG Medical Faculty’s forum yesterday evening (Sunday), Dr Sam Yockopua from the Pom Gen Emergency Department said: “I will not allow that to happen because when the academic year closes, that will mean that Papua New Guinea will be down with 40 resident medical officers.

“Papua New Guinea will be down with resident dentists, pharmacists and all other cadres of health workers.

“We are running specialist training at the medical school; specialist training for nurses, big scientific programs, etcetera,” Dr Yockopua stated.

In a circular released yesterday (Sunday), registrar Jennifer Popat said: “After two weeks of classes, there appears to be no solution in sight. The university is extremely concerned about this uncertain situation.”

Popat said the disruptions have resulted in millions of kina losses to the university and its stakeholders, including loss of learning time to students.

“Such losses cannot be sustained. Normal classes will resume on Monday, May 16, at 8am.

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.