By NIDRA KEWERE MAPI
THE issue of student unrest dominated a discussion between the Office of Higher Education (OHE) and the chancellors and vice-chancellors of the four public universities in Port Moresby yesterday.
They discussed the reasons for the recent spate of protests and agreed that one of the main problems was insufficient funding.
They noted that students now seemed more ready to challenge the authorities but also agreed that they should be allowed to protest “in an orderly and educated way.”
The meeting concluded that some problems could be resolved internally while others needed the assistance of the OHE and the National Government.
OHE director-general Dr William Tagis said the purpose of the meeting was for the universities to explain the factors that caused the unrest and find solutions therein.
He said student unrest was a serious problem which had caused disruptions and needed to be addressed in a proper manner.
He said university staff were also increasingly more vocal and going against regulations in trying to deal with student issues.
“This makes it difficult for the OHE to determine what they really want,” he said.
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Vudal, Prof Philip Siaguru said many students were unhappy with the lack of basic learning facilities.
He said higher education did not seem to be a government priority.
Prof Siaguru said the strikes could be managed by the administration but the issues raised by the students still needed to be addressed.
Misty Baloiloi of the University of Technology said his students shared the same frustrations and the main cause was the lack of funding.
He said vice-chancellors in other countries were concerned with the academic welfare of their students but in PNG, they had to deal with law and order problems on campus and community affairs rather then the academic life of the students.
Chancellor of the University of PNG Steven Pokawin said students should be allowed to protest but in an orderly and educated way.
“It’s one way for them to expressed their ideas and it is the duty of the university management to see that they are carried out in an orderly way,” he said.
His counterpart at the University of Vudal Sir Rabbie Namaliu said students must be encouraged to think and analyse the issues they had in mind.
He said all universities needed adequate funding.