Uni to restructure programmes

UNIVERSITY of Goroka (UOG) is discontinuing some of its programmes to cut cost and create 150 new administrative positions in the next three years, acting vice-chancellor Dr Teng Waninga says.
“The university is undergoing major restructuring in its academic programmes and administration starting next year,” he said.
“Some programmes currently offered with many lecturers but few students will be shelved.
“There are some programmes that attracted only five students but six lecturers are running the tutorials.
“The cost of paying lecturers is far higher than what the students are paying.”
Dr Waninga said UOG would restructure its programmes to face reality and according to the needs of the country’s human capital and skills.
“We will strive to be the leading teacher-training institution,” he said. “This is the reality that we will work on to produce more quality teachers for our children.”
Dr Waninga said the National Planning and Monitoring Department approved 50 new positions in UOG for next year, 50 in 2023 and another 50 in 2024.
“The new positions were approved for the first time since the Goroka Teachers College days.
“The university is growing with 4,000 to 5,000 students.”
Waninga said this at the UOG’s institute of distance and flexible learning director’s second week-long workshop in Lae, Morobe, that ended on Friday.