Professor Mange Matui

But there is a greater need to improve the already existing tertiary institutions.

This is the view of UPNG’s pro vice chancellor academic, Professor Mange Matui.

Professor Matui pointed out the rundown infrastructure at the University of Papua New Guinea.

“When you walk around you will see that our infrastructure, the classrooms that were built by the Australian Government in the 1960s, 1970s, are now going down. We need to have new buildings.”

Professor Matui stressed that we (PNG) now have 7 universities.

Pro vice-chancellor academic for UPNG, Professor Mange Matui, said this year, students are paying a compulsory fee of K2,900.

Next year, that fee will dramatically increase.

He said the new fee will be put out in the daily newspapers.

Professor Matui said the university is currently struggling and blamed the Government for this.

He said every year, the university submits about K150 million, which is the normal budget covering its operational costs, but every year the Government gives only K47 million.

These were the remarks from UPNG pro vice-chancellor, Professor Mange Matui, during the opening of the 2^nd UPNG Career Expo on Tuesday.

He said having this in mind, students need to make use of the opportunity they have been given, instead of taking it for granted.

Compared to last year’s expo, Tuesday’s event was hailed a major success.

“The University of Papua New Guinea measures its standard against world standards.

“The new timetable is very clear, the students have used up 10 weeks (when boycotting classes), and this is the continuation of the first semester for 2016.

“When they come back, five weeks are allocated to make up for semester one,” Prof Matui said.  

He added that the normal 15 weeks of teaching and learning in a semester will continue till next year to complete the 2016 calendar.   

Acting Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Mange Matui speaking on TV Wan ‘Nau’ talkback show said the additional funding and improve security on campus was the reasons for the UPNG Council to lift the termination of the 2016 university calendar.  

 “The government must put that money into the University of Papua New Guinea account in order for classes to start on the 5^th of September,” Professor Matui said.