University rules out graduation

Main Stories

THE University of Goroka (UoG) will not host its graduation due to the Covid-19, Chancellor Joseph Sukwianomb says.
He said because of the increase in the number of the Covid-19 cases in the province and the country, the university would send out certificates to the graduands.
UOG also did not hold its graduation last year.
Sukwianomb said graduations normally involved a large number of people including students, family members and teaching staff attending the ceremony but this was not possible under the ‘Niupela Pasin’.
“We cannot risk taking a 1000 students who are to graduate together with their relatives,” he said.
“There is no control and community transmission has become an issue, people are passing the virus to others in the markets and gatherings.”
Sukwianomb said staff from UoG would be posted to locations around the country and graduates could see them and collect their certificates.
He said UoG did this last year.
“We are providing an alternative arrangement, so once the council approves the certificates, notices will be put in the newspapers,” he said.
He said students would be advised about what to have (ID, outstanding fees, have outstanding library books, etc …) in order to be able to obtain their certificates.
Sukwianomb said the distribution of certificates would take place in July and August.
Meanwhile, students and staff have resumed normal classes and duties but are following health and safety measures set by the administration, such as reduced class numbers, learning online, mask- wearing, social distancing and regular sanitising of hands and even cleaning of classrooms.