7 expelled Unitech students reinstated
By PETER MIVA
SEVEN University of Technology students expelled for their alleged involvement in last September’s student uprising, have been given the go-ahead to return to classes.
National Court acting judge Justice Nemo Yalo yesterday issued stay orders against Unitech Vice-Chancellor Misty Baloiloi’s last Nov 15 decision to expel them and last Feb 13 decision by the student appeals committee to uphold their expulsion.
Justice Yalo issued these among several orders when granting leave for judicial review against their expulsion.
The judge further ordered that Unitech shall immediately take steps to allow registration and enrolment of the principal plaintiffs Murex Kilata, Noven Giuna, Kelly Keke, Douglas Umba, Vicky Abuso and Paul Arete in their studies until the determination of the substantive judicial review.
Justice Yalo ruled that the university must take necessary steps to ensure that the students have full access to facilities, benefits and privileges normally available to all students.
The students were ordered not to prejudice the rights, intimidate or harass and threaten any student or staff or their family members either off or on campus.
They were also restrained from instigating any boycott, protests, riots etc at the school pending the judicial review.
The university was also ordered to grant reasonable extension of time to the students to submit assignments they may have missed out since the 2008 academic year started.
While ruling on their application for leave, Justice Yalo pointed out that there was a glaring error in part of Section 29 of the PNG University of Technology Act of 1995, which the vice-chancellor used to expel the students.
He said there existed a PNG University of Technology Act 1986, which was clearly distinct from the statute invoked by Mr Baloiloi, but this may be argued during the substantive hearing.
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