Students thank EHP governor

Eastern Highlands students attending the University of Papua New Guinea are grateful to the office of Governor Julie Soso for repatriating them.
More than 400 students were flown home following the termination of the academic year recently.
Student leader Benny Tomake said they were at Brown River, Central, with the union’s patron Philip Eludeme, for two weeks before travelling home.
“We acknowledge our patron for providing accommodation, transport and food for us while waiting for our tickets,” Tomake said.
He said they were surprised when they heard that the academic year was terminated.
“The decision made by the UPNG council is immature and does not show leadership,” he said.
“We assumed that the academic year would be suspended for some weeks and we went home without taking all of our belongings.”
Tomake said the UPNG administration must disseminate information on the 2017 academic year in a way that every student would be properly informed.
“Some of the students live in remote areas and haven’t got access to internet, so disseminating information on the UPNG website will be a problem for them,” Tomake said.
UPNG chancellor Dr Nicholas Mann said students who have not done their clearance would not be penalised.
“It was their choice to boycott classes, leave school and go but they will be responsible if there are damages done to their rooms,” Mann said.
Mann also said no students were terminated and all would re-enroll in 2017.
“The only people who will apply are the ones doing Grade 12, if they wish to study at the University of PNG,” said Mann.