Minister for Higher Education

Minister Niningi made this call after members of the Joint Security Task Force rampaged the Parliament house early this afternoon.

It is believed that the officers were not happy with the non-payment of their allowances during the APEC Summit, which ended on Sunday.

Minister Niningi, who was at the corridors of the Parliament house after the rampage, said such actions by law enforcers were uncalled for.

The Minister made reference to the recent court-case with IBS as an example of the upholding of the education system.

He says that his department is calling on all intuitions to follow suit and ensure that they have proper accreditation.

The Minister made references to the Higher Education General Provisions Act of 2014 which captures steps that institutions can take to ensure that they are registered and recognized.

Secretary Ninigi says that they aim to improve transparency, accountability, and most importantly increase the probability of capable and eligible school leavers

He encouraged all higher education institutions and important stakeholders to work as a team to prepare for the upcoming National Selections.

Meantime, Ninigi also commended the Secretary and his staff for this milestone initiative.

He adds that this initiative will change the face of National Selections of Grade 12 school leavers into our tertiary institutions in the country.

The current selection process is so costly, not transparent and at the same time very cumbersome resulting in many eligible students miss out in their once in a lifetime opportunity.

“We had also tackled the issue of cost-effectiveness, in saving the state K5 million that goes every year in the logistics and mobilization of selectors nationwide,” he said.

He said that the higher education sector has grown to such a stage in which the way students are selected must be improved to become honest and transparent.

The MP for Imbongu and current Minister for Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology Pila Niningi took his time to settle his district administration conducting the Commission of Oaths for his DDA Members.

The ceremony at Walume District Headquarters, was officiated by the Senior Magistrate, of Mendi District Court, Raymond Tupundu.

The K2 million government funded infrastructure is one of the many developments undertaken by the school to cope with increasing enrollments.

The hall was formally opened by Minister for Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, Francis Marus and witnessed by the school board & management, teachers and students.

School Principal, John August, said several other projects were financed by the college itself through fundraising as a communal effort to develop the institution. 

“I believe in doing first before asking.”

The two-day event, from September 1-2, was launched today in Port Moresby at the Papua New Guinea National Research Institute by Minister for Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, Francis Marus.

The forum is jointly supported by PNG Science & Technology Secretariat, the Constitutional Law Reform Commission and the Investment Promotion Authority (IPA).

UPNG vice chancellor Professor Albert Mellam called on Minister for Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, Francis Marus, to work together with the universities for better results.

Mellam said the universities and institutions of higher education in this country are at the crossroads of their existence to secure a place in a highly competitive higher education sector globally.

Mellam highlighted a number of critical challenges that must be addressed in collaboration with all the stakeholders that make up the higher education sector in PNG.

After receiving the ministerial portfolio today from outgoing Minister Malakai Tabar, Marus said he expects immediate commencement of classes at the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG), University of Goroka (UOG) and PNG University of Technology (Unitech).

Marus expects the commencement of inclusive reconciliation strategy for all staff, students and management before classes begin and for Churches to be involved in the reconciliation process.

He said all legal cases between parties must be assessed in favour of agreement on a way forward.