University of Papua New Guinea

University of Papua New Guinea lecturer at the Centre for Biodiversity & Natural Products Division of Biological Sciences, Professor Simon Saulei, says there’s not enough capacity building going on.

Speaking at a consultative workshop on Protected Area Policy, underway in Port Moresby, Professor Saulei explained that the success of long term sustainable biodiversity conservation and PA depends on capacity building, aimed at supporting individuals and institutions to effectively address threats to biodiversity.

Word has been circulating around the UPNG campus that NASA will stop work over the non-payment of its members.

However, President Emmanuel Gorea told Loop PNG that: “Going on strike will be our last resort, if we have exhausted all other avenues”.

“Some of us have not been paid last year and this year,” Gorea confirms. But discussions over their salary issues are already underway with the UPNG administration.

The president stresses that they want the students to complete their first semester as they ‘have been through a lot already’.

Port Moresby residents came in their best ENB attires to celebrate the day organized by the East New Britain Students Association of the University of Papua New Guinea.

ENBSA President Jeremy Nature thanked everyone who had supported them at the Constitutional Park and said this year was yet another crowd pleaser.

Stalls were blaring in color with meri blouses, printed shirts, ENB flags, as well as face painting and cooked ENB cuisines like aigir and mumu.

Under a Twinning arrangement, a series of learning and research activities are being delivered that focus on enhancing the teaching quality and research capacity across both universities.

UPNG Vice Chancellor Professor Albert Mellam says, 25 UPNG academics are undertaking JCU’s internationally recognised and Australian accredited Graduate Certificate of Education.

He says UPNG and JCU area natural fit when it comes to collaboration; both universities have strong backgrounds in tropical science and knowledge that will facilitate joint research and the exchange of ideas.

The Master of Science in Renewable Energy Management (MScREM) program is created under the European Platform for Intelligent Cities' (EPIC) project which is funded by European Union.

EPIC, Renewable energy in Pacific islands: Developing Skills and Capacity, was born to react to the current challenges and immediate needs to the renewable energy (RE) development in the Pacific.

The initiative has been drawn from the low energy access rate, urgent need of alternative energy supply, and the vulnerability to the impact of climate change in the region.

One of the students told Loop PNG that they received their letters from acting pro vice-chancellor, Professor Mange Matui, through their respective school offices on Sunday.

“We went to register and found the letter waiting for us. We have been given two weeks to appeal the decision.”

In the letter, Professor Matui said: “The University of Papua New Guinea administration has credible evidence that, in your capacity as the SRC member of 2016, you have been involved in the 2016 May to July student unrest and boycott”.

The Tambul-Nebilyer Students Associations at UPNG, an affiliated student body to the UPNG Students Represented Council and sub-association to the Western Highlands Students Union at UPNG have waited for almost a month now after requesting their MP and Minister for Labour and Industrial Relations Benjamin Poponawa to assist with airline tickets for them to return home.    

The students have been living in Port Moresby outside of campus for a long time now with friends and relatives and they needed repatriation as soon as possible.

The 2016 academic year was terminated following eight weeks of continuous boycott, protest, intimidation and arson.

UPNG acting chancellor Dr Nicholas Mann confirmed today that all students have left campus.

Dr Mann said students that were enrolled in 2016 will not reapply but only register again for the 2017 academic year.

He said only the 2016 Grade 12 students will apply for first year in 2017.

The university senate is putting in place a structure to accommodate the 2016 first year students and the new intakes.

A sign-on letter calling for an immediate end to repression of the student movement has already received over 220 international signatories from academics, unionists, NGOs, students, public servants and business people.

Referring to the June 23 confrontation, Rapa said: “Please note that I and my fellow UPNG SRC members were restrained by a court order obtained by UPNG administration, restraining us from conducting any further boycott and protests.

“Any actions taken by my council members and myself to mobilise students would been seen as actions undertaken to boycott classes and we would be in contempt.