Student leaders support nut ban on campus

 A GROUP of student leaders from the University of Papua New Guinea have commended its administration for imposing a betel nut ban in and around the university premises from this year.

UPNG Enga Students’ Association president Chris Kipalan praised the executive management under the leadership of Professor Albert Mellam for banning the chewing and selling of betel nuts in the area.

“As the 2015 Pacific Games Village host, UPNG must set the example and this step announced by the Register, Jennifer Popat during the new intakes’ orientation last week shows the maturity and leadership UPNG has in the development of the city and country,” Kipalan said.

“Students must act like mature, professional, intellectual university students with the best practice of oral health. 

“Chewing of betel nuts degrades the value and ethics of being a university student.

“I would like to call on the UPNG SRC president to convene a special meeting with all the 22 provincial student groups presidents, the administration and the Uniforce security to look at constructive ways to implement the ban effectively and seriously.”

Wapenamanda student representative and third-year law student Kenneth Komba supported Kipalan’s call and gave his support to be an agent of change in the university.

“We must educate the city’s residents and tell the nation that whatever is done in UPNG remains done and complete and the banning of betel nuts will be a major highlight in the history of UPNG,” Komba said.

Third-year business administration student and student leader from the remote Maramuni constituency of Enga, Dominic Roy supported Kipalan’s call and urged all student leaders to support and work together for a beautiful and better UPNG.

Many students praised the administration’s  decision to ban the chewing and selling of betel nuts at the campus and said that they would help by discouraging fellow students and the public from selling and chewing the nuts.