The following article appeared in today’s National…
“National staff want probe into Unitech”
(In my opinion… something long overdue)
By PETER KORUGL
STRIKING national academics at the University of Technology have decided
not to immediately return to classes as ordered by the court, but to ask
the governing council today to order an official investigation into the
university.
National Academic Staff Association president Michael Hasagama yesterday
confirmed that his executive was meeting the council today to petition
the removal of the current senior management team, appoint a caretaker
administration and institute the probe.
“We will be asking the council to order the investigation into the
mismanagement of the affairs at the university and the misappropriation
of the university’s resources,” Mr Hasagama told The National.
Mr Hasagama said NASA was fighting for the good of the university and
the stakeholders and not for personal gain, as may be assumed by the public.
The meeting comes three days after the National Court in Waigani ordered
the striking lecturers to return to normal duties.
The National Court ordered that NASA members submit the results of the
final examinations to the university and attend examination committee
meetings and participate in the selection of the students for enrolment
for the 2007 academic year.
Acting Vice-Chancellor Wilson Tovirika yesterday claimed victory against
the striking staff and urged them to return to work.
“The university wishes to advise all stakeholders, including the
Government, commerce and industry, corporate and private sponsors,
parents and students of its obligation to ensure a successful end of
2006 and commencement of the 2007 academic year,” Mr Tovirika said.
NASA, however, would not concede defeat; instead it referred the
judgment to the Industrial Registrar for a legal opinion.
“The national court orders were made last Friday, our members voted to
go on strike last Thursday.
“We have referred the court orders to the Industrial Registrar for legal
advice as we understand the affidavit presented by the university in
court by its lawyer was altered at the last minute and our lawyer was
not given a copy,” Mr Hasagama said.
In the secret ballot,conducted by the Electoral Commission last
Thursday, the NASA members were asked to vote on 15 issues, the
main one being that of mismanagement of the university and
misappropriation of its resources by the administration.
The members of NASA were also asked to vote on the medical levy imposed
on staff, non-remittal of contributions to Nasfund and Unitech Savings
and Loans Society, delaying payment of staff entitlements, water levy to
staff, hiring and firing of staff, appointment, promotion and appraisal
of national academics, acting appointments, training, incentives to
retain qualified staff and security for staff.
Mr Hasagam said NASA would press for the current senior management to be
sidelined, an interim management be put in place and investigation
ordered into the university.
Only in PNG !