Unitech students want VC back

STUDENTS at the University of Technology in Lae have petitioned the government to reinstate Dr Albert Schram as vice-chancellor.
He was sacked by the university council this week prompting a protest by the students. They have petitioned the government through the office of higher education and the university council.
They displayed their frustration in campus on Tuesday by chasing chancellor Philip Stagg and registrar Allan Sako for an explanation. Their cars were vandalised and burnt.
On their second day of a boycott of classes and protests led by the student representative council headed by president Joe Kaowai, they have compiled a petition that demands:
l    The reinstatement of Schram and reversal of the decision made by the university council;
l    The national executive council to dissolve the council to make new appointments;
l    The termination of Philip Stagg as chancellor for breaching section 9 of the University Act 1986;
l    That Allan Sako should not enter his office, and,
l    The investigation of all financial records of the institution by independent auditors.
“The university has suffered long under such leadership and we cannot allow such a regime to continue as it will jeopardise the future of PNG’s premier university,” the students said in their petition.
Copies of the petition have been sent to Prime Minister Peter O’Neill, Minister for Higher Education, Science and Technology David Arore, Office of Higher Education, the university council and heads of departments on campus.
The students claimed Schram was sacked by only two people – Stagg and Sako.
The students expect answers to their petition by Monday.