Not enough input from academics, says Sir Arnold

THE academic contribution to public policy has been lacking in the country, according to Madang Governor Sir Arnold Amet.
He said vigorous and healthy debates should be held at universities to assist the Government in its policy formulation.
Sir Arnold said this in his keynote address during the opening of the Divine Word University student services building named after Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare recently.
He said university academic communities had failed to suggest and offer well-research debates of vital issues on how to help run and help with the Government’s policy formulation.
Sir Arnold said as intellectual elites, they had an obligation to assist the Government by conducting and facilitating public forums which the students had lacked.
He said there was a spirit of not wanting to contribute between the tertiary institutions which was not good for our country although no idea was perfect but needed collaborative ideas to move the nation forward.
Sir Arnold said there was a huge gap for such criticism and advice but it was fortunate that the National Research Institute had closed the gap.
He said he was once a student leader prior, and during Independence at the University of PNG, and played a significant role in debating on issues of national concern.
Sir Arnold said although the NRI had closed the partnership gap, there was need for many university academia members to host vigorous debates and suggest constructive and comprehensive suggestions for public policy for decision making.
He also said the Government needed to address the issues of youths, adding that a big number of dropouts were walking the streets because of the Government’s failure.
“We continue to call them criminals and condemn them, but we need to help them.”