Uni staff reconcile, vow to work together

STAFF at the PNG University of Natural Resources and Environment (UNRE) held a reconciliation ceremony on Friday to bury their differences and work together.
They had invited local chiefs and local-level government leaders to witness the ceremony and give their blessings.
The event was attended by more than 100 staff and their family members.
There were speeches followed by a traditional sugarcane breaking ceremony and the distribution of tabu (traditional Tolai shell money) to all the staff members as a sign of peace, goodwill and reconciliation.
Notable absentees at the ceremony were Chancellor Prof Kenneth Sumbuk and the university’s bursar Edward Laki and acting registrar Jennifer Popot.
The university in recent times had its image tarnished when former vice-chancellor Prof John Warren had exited the institution abruptly, alleging that he was threatened by certain staff members at the university when he tried to implement changes.
His predecessor Prof Philip Siaguru was recently rearrested by police on allegation of misappropriation of university funds.
Acting Vice-Chancellor Dr James Yoko told those who had gathered that what had happened in the past was history and the university community should look forward to a new start for the betterment of the institution.
“Let us remove the bag of fear, jealousy, gossip and hatred,” Yoko said.