Unitech hiking fees by 10pc

By JUNIOR UKAHA
STUDENTS attending the University of Technology in Lae will pay a 10 per cent fee increase this year, Vice-Chancellor Dr Albert Schram says.
Schram told The National on Friday that the fee increase was agreed to by the Students Representative Council (SRC) in 2015.
The scheduled fees adjustments are in proportion to the predicted and prevailing economic conditions the country is going through.
“Our operational grant (last year) was about K47 million but we only received about three-quarters (of it),” Schram said.
He said roughly the same amount was approved for this year.
“We are happy about this (funding allocation) but we just hope the funds will be transferred in full and on time,” he said.
“Receiving incomplete or late monthly grants creates great financial stress and puts continuity of our operations at risk.
“We also hope to receive some more funds for our infrastructure projects.”
The fees for first-year students include a laptop fee.
Schram said last year, the university had received an unqualified audit from the auditor-general.
He said an external audit appointed by the Auditor-Generals had reviewed all the accounts of the institution and found that the spendings reflected reality.
“As a result we were able to manage our finances better,” Schram said.
“The management was able to reduce expenses to match the expected revenue.
“If the State had transferred 100 per cent of the grant rather than 75 per cent last year, we would actually have generated a small surplus.
“We have, therefore, relied for a larger percentage on contributions from students and their parents or sponsors.”