Ban on student leaders lifted

By DEMAS TIEN
THE University of Papua New Guinea has lifted a ban it imposed on a group of student leaders from entering campus and attending classes.
It follows a review of the ban by the university council student appeals committee which received submissions from the student leaders.  The university had permanently excluded the student leaders from attending classes at the university in August because of their involvement in the protests and general unrest at the Waigani campus over eight weeks in June and July.
The appeals committee overturned the university’s decision after considering the students’ appeal submissions.
It upheld the appeals, lifted the permanent exclusion and allowed the students to re-register and resume studies.
Their case has been referred back to the university management.
The student leaders were advised about the decision last week.
They were permanently excluded on August 9 in a decision by acting Vice-Chancellor (Academic and Student Affairs) Professor Mange Matui.
The students were members of the Student Representative Council.
Two judicial review applications filed by the students at the Waigani National Court seeking orders to quash the university’s decision and for their reinstatement will return to court today (Oct 20) before Justice Leka Nablu.
Lawyer Ramsey Pariwa representing the students filed affidavits for the students yesterday.