Uni report out

The National Main Stories

AN independent investigation into the student unrest at the University of Goroka has concluded that it was caused by the lack of urgency in dealing with student grievances which led to weeks of protest.
The report was handed over to the Government yesterday in Port Moresby.
Chairman of the investigation team Lawrence Titimur said the unrest was the result of some students being fed up with intimidating tactics stopping them from attending classes, plus the prolonged protest over certain Government decisions.
The 20-page report recommends that:

  • an aptitude test be conducted on all school leavers and non-school leavers applying for admission at UOG. No student should enter with his or her GPA only;
  • student groupings be limited to provincial and ethnic groups for the promotion of cultural activities at the campus and not (to involve) politics;
  • the students’ welfare office must be manned by professionally qualified counsellors;
  • the UOG administration employs a professional security manager to train, equip and look after the needs of the security officers at the university;
  • the UOG management put in place processes and procedures for students to air their views and grievances which should be attended to appropriately;
  • university staff must promptly address such situations and not rely on the security guards to do it for them.

Titimur said every student wishing to enter the university “should be tested at the gate to ensure his or her results are genuine”.
“It is time that we allow only students who are genuine and interested in pursuing their studies at the university. Those who are not should not be allowed in,” Titimur said.
The report also calls on the police to intervene quickly in the case of unrest on campus and should not wait for the vice-chancellor to call them. The report said the unrest erupted because some students were sick and tired of others stopping them from going to classes.
Chancellor Professor Joseph Sukwianomb said the university council would discuss the report’s recommendations.
“We want to assure the Government, parents, students and sponsors that the University of Goroka is on course,” he said.
Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Musawe Sinebare said the recommendations which come under the UOG administration’s responsibility would be implemented.
“I would like to assure students, parents and the Government that the management will do our best to address the problems and recommendations highlighted by the investigation.”
The boycotting of classes at the University of Goroka, Unitech in and the University of PNG in Port Moresby was to support the students’ demand for Prime Minister Peter O’Neill to step down and allow police to investigate corruption allegations against him.
O’Neill however refused to budge saying he had done nothing wrong and advised the students to return to classes. Classes at the three premier institutions were suspended later when the student protest dragged on for weeks.
An official from the Department of Prime Minister and NEC Frank Aisi received the report yesterday on behalf of Chief Secretary Isaac Lupari.
“It was a good initiative by the administration to undertake such an independent investigation to find out the root causes of the unrest.
“The report is good as it may form the basis of further inquiry that may be instituted by the Government.”