Employment concerns raised

WITH more than 1,000 students graduating in the middle of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) is concerned about the employability of the new graduates.
UPNG Chancellor Robert Igara said the university provided adequate professional guidance
to students, but after they graduated, their employment opportunities depended entirely on the market.
“This is the most significant time for the Government and employment market to review policies
to cater for these graduates,” he said.
“The proposed major projects by the Government is a good employment opportunity that we look forward to.”
Igara said existing employment opportunities were not evenly distributed in different areas of professions.
“The employability of the post-graduates is high but the under-graduates are still left to face these challenges of limited job opportunities,” he said.
“Most post-graduates are in the schools of business, medicine and law and their employability is quite established.”
In view of this issue, the university provides business leadership training to enhance job opportunities.
“We encourage our students to create jobs when they graduate and not just looking to be employed, even overseas jobs are encouraged,” Igara said.