Students boycotting classes to protest VC’s resignation

By ELIZABETH VUVU
STUDENTS at the University of Natural Resources and Environment at Vudal, in East New Britain, have been boycotting classes to protest the resignation of Vice-Chancellor Professor John Warren.
They petitioned the university’s governing council requesting that Warren should stay until the end of his contract next year.
Student Representative Council president Jasper Daun said they wanted Warren to complete his contract.
“This is in the best interest of students and we urge the chancellor and council to plea on our behalf for Warren to reconsider his resignation,” Daun said.
“We would like to assure our parents and sponsors that the sit-in protest will not affect our academic work.” Last Thursday, Chancellor Professor Kenneth Sumbuk announced that the university council had appointed Dr James Yoko as acting vice-chancellor.
The council held an emergency meeting that day to accept Warren’s resignation and to appoint Yoko as acting VC.
Dr Pongie Kichawen was appointed acting pro vice-chancellor (administration and development).
The council directed the university administration to urgently begin the recruitment process of a new VC.
A meeting was held with students and staff to relay the information to them. The students presented their petition to the council on Friday.
They alleged that a medical certificate which led to Warren’s resignation was not valid because it was not stamped. They also protested Yoko’s appointment.