The National Government has yet to release funds to the University of Goroka for its 2017 allocation.
UOG vice-chancellor, Professor Musawe Sinebare and Chancellor Joseph Sukwianomb are in Port Moresby to follow up on the Government’s commitment.
Sukwianomb, flanked by UOG vice-chancellor told media, they will be meeting with Chief Secretary to Government this afternoon.
The UOG top management met with the Secretary to the Office of Higher Education yesterday.
“Our meeting in Port Moresby this week is very critical. We do not have money in our accounts, we are relying on the good will of the government to continue to provide, on registration we might have some money paid for by the students, (but) this is internal revenue,” Sukwianomb said.
“But in terms of grants, the grants of 2017 have yet to come. What we are talking about is the money promised by the national government for the three universities to commence classes for the later part of 2016, if it comes it helps us to cushion the commencement of semester one programs.”
Sukwianomb said protocol will be followed to get government grants to support the university.
The National Government committed K8 million to UOG in 2016.
Professor Sinebare gave the assurance that 2017 teaching and learning calendar will not disrupted.
“The university's mandate is to open for business to provide higher education services to the students who had met the general and specific academic requirements,” the vice-chancellor said in an earlier statement.
He added the university will not demand or put the National Government at ransom to open the academic year.