UOG students must stand firm on their rights

 THE University of Goroka (UOG) saga has captured daily reader’s attention for the last couple of weeks and I would like to express my experience with the student body while I was a student in one of the tertiary institution in the country. 

In 2005 at University of Papua New Guinea student body boycotted classes asking Vice Chancellor Prof Les Escort to step down after turning blind eye on student’s petition. The classes were disrupted for 4-6 weeks. 

The University administration deployed police officers to monitor the student movement and there was a fight broke out between the student body, Uniforce and the Police.  The police fire gun shots at students and three students caught bullet pellets. After commitment, sacrifice and efforts from the student body the Vice Chancellor was side-lined and Prof  Ross Hynes took over. The student body has won the battle and under Prof. Hynes’ administration student’s demands were met. 

And not in the distance past University of Technology student body went on strike petitioning the University Council to reinstate Prof. Albert Scram. The caretaker University Administration at that time questioned the qualification of Prof. Albert but when the whole student body expressed their democratic right Prof. Albert Scram was brought back in a shorter space of time. There were rumors surrounded about difficulties in his return passport but he was given a red carpet welcome when he landed at Nadzap Airport. 

Now, the ball is in UOG student’s hand. All of us are watching you to win the battle that your sister Universities have won. All student body must speak one language and rise up for what is your right. All student body, keep this motto in your heart when you fight for your right, “United we stand, divided we fall”. The current administration may deploy discipline forces to restrict further actions but student power will be realized very soon. 

PNG got independent in 1975 and we have enough professors and doctors to administer the university. If there is unqualified national candidate for the position of Vice Chancellor the national government will not overlook UOG if education is its priority, it will hire expatriates to run the administration. 

The UOG administration’s mistreatment, restriction and monitoring will soon be over. The hardship in life will come when your project for a better future. 

Your brothers and sisters have won battles in the two universities and they have set precedent for other newly established universities and surely the outcome of the tussle will be done in your favor.  

Jeff Satu Lypin Lokait

Boroko, NCD