Student boycott

Lae Police detain three suspects over murder of Unitech student

Graham Romanong a first year Unitech student from Southern Highlands Province was killed inside his room at the Taraka Campus.

“The three suspects have been detained in the (Lae) Police cells and Police CID have commenced process of Court files for formal arrest,” Lae Metropolitan Superintendent Anthony Wagambie Jnr said.

Police this morning stopped five PMV bus loads of Enga students along the Markham Highway at Nine- Mile while they were trying to travel by road to Enga Province.

Damage to universities estimated to be K20 million

These include the University of PNG, University of Goroka and PNG University of Technology.

At UPNG, five vehicles and the Uni Venture building were burnt, a slate of glass which walls the Michael Somare Library was shattered while the canteen at the Forum Square area was nearly cracked open.

At Unitech, fire was set to the SRC president's residence, DODL and ATCDI buildings and the mess. These buildings suffered substantial damage from the fire.

Student protest now law and order issue

Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology secretary Professor David Kavanamur explained that after eight weeks of boycott, the situation generated into a law and order issue.

Kavanamur said the first priority is to secure the perimeters on campus to ensure that life and property are protected and create an environment that is conducive for learning.

That is the main objective in terms of restoring normalcy on campus.

Minister Tabar condemns Unitech arson

Reports from the university administration confirmed that four buildings have been burnt and one student has died.

Tabar said this is the work of criminal elements and conveyed his sympathies and condolences to the parents and relatives of the deceased student.

He assured that the law will bring the perpetrators of this murder to justice.

“I call on forces that have had a hand in causing instability and cruel destruction to our universities to take into account the common good and not destroy our universities and their culture of academic learning and innovation.

Unitech student dies in attack

"We regret to inform that the student passed away a few hours later as a result of his wounds," said Unitech vice-chancellor Dr. Albert Schram in a statement.

"The management was on the ground immediately, and has been dealing with the situation as it developed. They were assisted by the university police and security guards, plus a few dozen men from the Lae police, who had been called in earlier last week to protect students and university property."

UPNG welcomes reconciliation with students

The Student Representative Council has written to the vice chancellor and management requesting for a reconciliation meeting.

UPNG acting Chancellor Dr Nicholas Mann told Loop PNG that the university welcomes the idea and mediators will be involved.

Classes at the main Waigani Campus are yet to fully commence and students met with their School administrations today to discuss the idea.

Dr Mann said the students don't need to waste more time.

“Just come to school, say sorry and go to class,” Dr Mann said.

Lae Polytechnic students raise funds for injured UPNG students

Kennedy Fisause a first year student speaking to Loop PNG said: “The main aim of the contribution is to help the students pay for their medical bills.

Fisause and fellow colleagues came up with the idea after an appeal account was opened for the students at a local bank.

He added that the appeal started on Friday and the monies raised will be deposited on Wednesday.

UOG governing council to meet this week

“The Academic Senate will meet this week, followed by a Council Meeting also this week to make a decision on the future of its academic programs, especially with the view to extend the suspension of the class long enough for the healing of wounds and ensure the successful completion of the semester,” UOG acting vice-chancellor Dr Samuel Kopamu said.

He added that a Commission of Inquiry (COI) will be set up following the students fight which left 44 injured and treated at the local hospital.   

Universities must save 2016 academic year: Prof Kavanamur

The Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (DHERST) secretary Professor David Kavanamur said: “Our main agenda is to immediately salvage the academic year. Closing down the 2016 academic year should not be an option for the country.

“Currently, the rolling boycott has spanned six weeks of useful learning hours and I would like to call for restraint by all concerned parties.

“This is not the time to apportion blame, but it is time for understanding and reconciliation.

Momase MPs must broker dialogue for way forward

That is the call from East Sepik Tertiary Student Union president Newton Savi for Morobe, Madang, and East and West Sepik MPs.   

“The founding father (Sir Michael Somare) has taken the lead to the hospital and we must find a way forward for Papua New Guinea. 

“We call on all our MPs in the Momase block to take the lead to visit the students and find a solution through dialogue.

Sir Michael who is the East Sepik Governor visited the four gunshot injured students last week at the Port Moresby General Hospital.