Polye assures Unitech

 By SHIRLYN BELDEN 

THE University of Technology graduation will proceed as scheduled tomorrow with valid certificates for those graduating, acting Minister for Higher Education Don Polye said. 

Polye made the assurance yesterday flowing concerns that the diploma and degree certificates for those graduating would be invalid as there was no council to endorse them. 

He has sought the opinions of various parties including former council members, the interim council headed by Sir Nagora Bogan, the secretary to the justice department and Attorney General and the director general of the office of higher education Dr. David Kavanamur to address the issue and let the graduation proceed. 

“The graduation must take place as it is in the interest of the government and the people, especially the graduates who spent time and effort to complete their university studies,” he said. 

“Parents and guardians, students, the university administration, council members and citizens must be assured that the graduation is an important event and the government will see that it proceeds. 

“All must respect the views on this decision.”

Former council chairman Philip Stagg had said the certificates “might be illegal and worthless in time if found to be conferred by an illegal council”. 

Polye said the certificates would be “perfectly and absolutely legal”. 

“The students have done their part and they deserve it. It is important that the government ensures that the graduation proceeds,” he said.