Panel carries out quality assessments

 EXTERNAL quality assessments of PNG’s four State universities are now underway, giving effect to the Namaliu-Garnaut Report on the PNG university system. 

The quality assessments are undertaken by an independent panel of local and international experts. 

The University of Natural Resources and Environment (UNRE) asked to be the first university to be assessed and ran its own self-assessment to kick off the process.

The UNRE panel visited Vudal campus this week for the site visit to the university. During this time, panel members were fortunate enough to meet Sir RabbieNamaliu and hear his views first-hand.  

Panel chair Prof Paul Gadek from James Cook University, said: “The panel is honoured and privileged to have had the opportunity to meet Sir Rabbie and to advise him that the report’s findings are being acted on.”

The quality assessments are coordinated by the Office of Higher Education, which will monitor the implementation of the panel’s recommendations by each university. 

OHE director-general Prof David Kavanamur said the external assessments would help to enhance the quality of the universities. 

“They provide a focused roadmap for each university, and there will be assistance to implement changes. We expect these types of assessments, focused on improvement, to become a regular event. “

The panel’s site visit to UNRE was held between July 25-30, concluding with words of appreciation and brief feedback by the panel.

The other three state universities will complete their quality assessments this year and in early 2014.