UPNG has own needs, Mellam says

 The needs of a university are different to those of a government department, so resources should be allocated to reflect that, Prof Albert Mellam says. 

It was an issue the UPNG Vice-Chancellor raised to students and staff to mark the start of the year. 

He described the structure of the university as being divided into two sections, academic and administrative.

“The two structures do not overlap, they do not cross path,” Mellam said

“The academic structure is there to ensure that academic programmes meet standards to ensure quality in the delivery of academic programmes. 

“Students undertake these degree programmes through various courses that they take and be assessed on merits and to be able to complete their degree on time.

“At the other end is the administration, its purpose is to ensure that the academic structure of the university operates efficiently.”

He said that universities were international organisations that  are in contact with each other and often collaborate in research and studies.

“We are benchmarking ourselves all the time, not with government departments. We are looking at the way we do business and benchmarking ourselves with universities around the region” he said