Collective effort needed to end woes
THE University of Technology in Lae is a premier institution in our country and the Pacific region, producing most of PNG’s leaders and citizens.
Sadly, its fame and glory is now very much diminished.
Graduates emerging from the university lack sufficient knowledge and skills required by potential employers.
The university’s problems cannot be solved by the administration, the council, the minister or the Government alone.
To do so, we need the collective effort of stakeholders, including students, parents and the public as well.
When I say that students should also contribute, I am not referring to their protests and other industrial action although they had some unfortunate consequences.
Instead, I believe that students should take greater responsibility over their life, right down to every decision they make.
Character is what the university students lack.
There is little to distinguish them from a person living in Kamkumung settlement.
The way many students behave, walk and talk does not indicate that they are attending university.
Many get drunk during the weekends and waste their parents’ hard-earned money on other undesirable activities.
It is a shame that they demanded the administration to explain why it could not pay the power bills when they are the ones who have incurred excessive electricity bills with their hi-fi systems, computers and refrigerators in their rooms.
I would advise the administration to work with the staff, especially the academic staff, to better understand them and to improve the environment.
It may take several months to find replacements for the lecturers who have resigned on, but so be it.
It is time we see changes to move the university forward.

Tax-payer, Tabubil
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