Wafiwa is UPNG school of journalism head

THE National Academic Staff Association (NASA) of the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) elected the present head as the new president to the school of journalism and public relations.
Leo Wafiwa was declared president by the Electoral Commission’s returning officer John Malabag at a special meeting held at the UPNG council room last Dec 14.
He said one policy he hoped to vigorously pursue was a national housing scheme for both the academic and non-academic staff as most government employees already have cost effective home ownership schemes.
“Therefore, if young leaders of both the private and public sector, who are alumni of this university, could formulate policy matters at their respective institutions to set up proper housing policies, then why is the university lacking behind with a housing scheme for its staff?” he asked.
He said the concern among many others was the single line salary structure that overwhelmingly discriminated national academic staff from their overseas counterparts.
“Owning a standard size home in Port Moresby or anywhere in the country is the best reward most members of the association would highly prefer,” he said.
He said the first phase of the home ownership scheme was to work closely with relevant authorities within UPNG administration for proper titles to be issued.
They had initially purchased a house and had developed them but were still awaiting proper titles.
He said the second phase was to identify and develop vacant sites adjacent to the main campus for academic and non academic staff housing schemes.
NASA was better known for its recent strike action, however, Mr Wafiwa said he believed in fostering proper dialogue with the administration.