After much speculation on social media, the UPNG Council, in consultation with the Senate, has approved September 5 as the resumption day for all classes at the Taurama and Waigani campuses.
The UPNG council’s decision to resume classes has been made possible due to appropriate and timely financial support from the government and a security risk assessment for the university.
The National Executive Council (NEC) approved the release of K12 million to help bring academic programs back and meet other essential expenditures, including addressing security-related issues and repair damages to the school’s properties.
The sole purpose of the university is to teach and educate young Papua New Guineans, hence, the council lifted the suspension to allow full normalcy to academic programs to resume, says UPNG’s acting chancellor Dr Nicholas Mann.
The University has revised its academic year to incorporate the necessary changes to lecture timetables and examination dates.
The council’s decision means the 2017 academic calendar will comprise of two-and-a-half semesters.
Students are to arrive on campus from the 27th to the 31st of this month to complete the resumption form and registration for 2016 semester 2.
Semester 1 of 2016 will resume on September 5 and end in October. Second semester of 2016 will then commence on November 7 and end on December 19.
The remainder of semester 2 of 2016 will be completed on March 15.
Students are encouraged to seriously consider their studies and their careers and observe the resumption processes. The onus is on them to complete their 2016 semester 1 studies, adds Dr Mann.
Application forms for the 2016 registered students, to continue the academic programs, will be available from respective school offices and the university’s website.