UPNG acting chancellor Dr Nicholas Mann

NASA stop work is illegal, says UPNG admin

UPNG Acting Chancellor Dr Nicholas Mann said today that the stop work by the staff is illegal as it is not properly sanctioned by the University and the Industrial Registrar.

The purpose of their planned withdrawal of teaching and assessment component of work is due to their outstanding 7.5 percent pay increment for all public servants, commencing in 2012.

Dr Mann said they’re in constant dialogue with responsible authorities and those concerned since 2013 and are working to resolve the issue.

UPNG gets portion of K12m funding

“This funding will go a long way to addressing the extra costs of feeding residential students, paying service suppliers such as our caterers, PNG Power, and Eda Ranu, and purchasing other materials for the maintenance of operations,” Acting Chancellor, Dr. Nicholas Mann said. 

The 2016 Semester 2 classes resumed on 16 January 2017 and will conclude with the final 2016 examinations on 15 March.

No funds, UPNG will revise tuition fee structure

This new change, among others, is the result of the University’s concerns over the lack of funding to provide essential services and the delivery of academic programs. 

In a statement, acting chancellor, Dr Nicholas Mann, said: “Despite the decision by the NEC to provide K12 million as funding to support the recommencement of teaching and learning activities to complete Semesters 1 and 2 of the 2016 Academic Year, no funds have been released by the Government to date.

UPNG student leaders fight for boarding rights

One of the student leaders told Loop PNG: “The only problem with some of us fly-in students is that the admin is removing our boarding privileges and it has affected us big time”.

The student leaders were terminated by the UPNG administration due to their alleged involvement in the May to July student unrest. They took the matter to Court and were allowed to resume classes last month.

UPNG academic: Students withdrew, unable to concentrate

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Academics from the university revealed to Loop PNG that most of the students who have withdrawn are first years.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

UPNG halls of residence closed due to security concerns

The following halls of residence are inaccessible: Toa 1, 2, 3 (senior male students’ dorm); Veari Village (for post-graduate students); Hetura (first year male dorm); Luavi (final year female students’ dorm) and the International Village.

“When students stay in one area, security will be able to monitor them,” acting chancellor Dr Nicholas Mann told Loop PNG.

“But if students stay all over the place, perpetrators and opportunists will come in and mingle with them. That’s why management made the decision to congregate students in one area.”

Reconciliation will not be between students and administration, says Dr Mann

Dr Mann told Loop PNG that the administration, nor its staff, went around harassing and intimidating the students.

“The biggest enemy in the campus was not the staff or the security forces.

“The peace reconciliation must be between the students themselves; the different groups, the different factions, the pro-boycott and anti-boycott group and the different provinces.

“Students themselves had gone in and harassed lecturers and those attending class.”

Eight UPNG students confirm receipt of exclusion letter

The document, dated August 9, advised the students of their permanent exclusion from UPNG due to their involvement in the May to July student unrest.

In a letter to the administration this morning, SRC male vice-president Arthur Amos said the decision was harsh and unfair.

“Student leaders represent the voice of the students, who have given them the mandate,” Amos stated.

“The motives of the student leaders and students were pure and there were no political affiliations or attachments, as alleged by many.”

UPNG students excluded due to breaching university laws

UPNG acting chancellor Dr Nicholas Mann said that the letter of exclusion given to the students is a genuine document from the university management.

He said this in response to the SRC members who have demanded an explanation from the university administration regarding their exclusion.

Dr Mann said the 2016 UPNG SRC led the rolling boycott at UPNG that resulted in the violation of the laws, statutes, regulations, codes and charters to which they all concurred to uphold.

Student leaders claim to be permanently excluded from UPNG

One of the students told Loop PNG that they received their letters from acting pro vice-chancellor, Professor Mange Matui, through their respective school offices on Sunday.

“We went to register and found the letter waiting for us. We have been given two weeks to appeal the decision.”

In the letter, Professor Matui said: “The University of Papua New Guinea administration has credible evidence that, in your capacity as the SRC member of 2016, you have been involved in the 2016 May to July student unrest and boycott”.