Unitech partner to learn waste management methods

PAPUA New Guinea stands to gain invaluable knowledge and expertise from an international consortium of universities which specialise in solid waste management systems.
The assistance stems from the partnership between the PNG University of Technology’s (Unitech) Civil Engineering Department and the consortium which has academia representation from the ACP-EU member countries.
The project started three years ago and to wind up at the end of this year, has financial backing from the European Union.
Unitech represents the Oceania region in the project.
The ACP-EU cooperation in higher education’s main objectives include helping developing countries develop curriculum at the masters level in the field of solid waste management and assistance on protection of the environment and its communities.
This week, three members of the consortium are visiting Unitech for meetings.
Their itinerary includes inspection of waste disposal sites in Lae today, especially Second Seventh, where domestic and industrial waste is being dumped,  and hold a one-day workshop on waste disposal management at the Lae International Hotel tomorrow.
The visitors include Associate Prof Avraam Kragiannidis from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece; Sebastian Wolff from the Bremen University of Applied Sciences, Germany; and Christoph Wùnsch from the Institute of Waste Management and Contamination Site, University of Dresden, Germany.
Unitech acting Vice- Chancellor Prof Cletus Gonduan said proper handling and disposal of waste was a challenge for developing countries unlike developed countries which had advanced technologies.
A conference on waste management in developing countries would be held September in Mauritius, Africa.