UoG students’ housing planned

By BOURA GORU KILA
VICE-chancellor for the University of Goroka (UoG) Dr Teng Waninga says the institution is planning to build temporary accommodation for its students living off campus after receiving K10 million in emergency funds.
“I’d like to confirm that we have received the funds into our account last week, and now we are going through stages of planning two new buildings to accommodate our students who are living outside,” Waninga said. Waninga made the announcement at a press conference on Tuesday in Port Moresby.
The funding was allocated after a student from the university, who was renting outside the school campus, was stabbed at the Goroka market, earlier this month.
The students were displaced after a 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck the university in September 2022, and damaged school dormitories, forcing the students to rent off campus.
He said they would call for tenders through the normal process of engagement of a construction company.
“It’s K10 million so we will look at how we would go through the tender process and get the accommodations built in time for our students to maybe start using them next year,” he said.
He thanked staff and students for their patience in waiting for the funding.
“Students had a peaceful protest march two weeks ago and they requested that we get the funding so that we build something for them.”
The institution makes five trips daily to transport its student for classes.
“Our students are living amongst community members and we transport them from the university to where they live, five times daily,” he said.