‘Nothing much’ on Unitech front

THE University of Technology administration is in Port Moresby consulting with the Government about the situation back at the campus.
Vice-Chancellor Dr Misty Baloiloi and members of the executive management were apparently with the Minister for Higher Education Michael Ogio and director-general of the Office of Higher Education Dr William Tagis.
On campus yesterday, more than 2,600 students milled about in front of the main administration building or in their halls of residences as there no classes in most faculties.
In mining engineering, two female lecturers found to their dismay that they had too much on their plates. One was recruited from Lae Technical College to fill a severe shortage.
Classes in five courses had to be rescheduled till Monday because there were not enough lecturers. These are electrical, mining, applied science, agriculture and business.
A few students were at the student services. They were among more than 450 students who will have to be housed outside the main campus.
The students have been told to look for other lodgings including the Okari Campus along Buimo Road and the Telikom Training College.
Self-sponsored students were told in no uncertain terms to live off campus. They were warned not to bunk up with Government scholarship students.
A notice written by director of student services Simon Maip outside his office said that the university could not be able to accommodate more than 1,500 students.
He said the university was built in the 1970s for only 500 students.
He said the lodgings, classrooms and other amenities including the mess could be compacted with up to 1,500.
Any figure beyond that would place severe strains on the university.
He said the Government had built many secondary schools but did not expand the universities to cater for the surge in numbers of entrants.
There were other notices that also said that a white brick complex opposite the university gates would be used as lodgings.