Robert@PNG

It looks like it finally happened…

Story as reported in yesterday's The National:

(For the sake, future and education of many - I hope it's true!)

Parents fret over their children’s
education at Unitech

PARENTS are concerned about the education of their
children at the University of Technology amidst reports the Government has
sacked the university’s governing council.
Media reports over the weekend said Higher Education, Research, Science and
Technology Minister Michael Ogio had sacked the entire council of the
university and its chancellor Philip Stagg.
A 10-member interim council was appointed with businessman Nagora Bogan as
interim chancellor and David Conn as pro chancellor.
The Government outlined 17 areas of concern, which the interim council was
to address, and this include investigating allegations of mismanagement,
misappropriation and incompetence, review tendering procedures, student
housing shortage, staff housing, introduce a new academic and administrative
structure, recruit staff from abroad and develop a strategic development
plan for the university.
Classes for the university commences on Feb 25.
There have been concerns about staff shortage with a number of senior and
qualified staff quitting the university over disagreements with the
university administration.
Both Mr Stagg and Sir Nagora were not available for comments yesterday.
Meanwhile, Lae-based parents of Unitech students do not wish to have their
children at home.
They want their students to live on campus and enjoy the full benefits of
their scholarship.
Parent David Herry last Friday took out an advertisement in The National to
orchestrate the support of all parents and guardians of students attending
the main Taraka, the Bumbu (Timber college), Top Town (Nursing School), and
Bulolo (Forestry) campuses.
The scheduled meeting did not eventuate. Not many parents had arrived at the
Catholic Youth Hall at Top Town after lunch on Saturday.
Administration staff at Unitech could not be reached for comment last
Thursday and Friday.
It was understood that on Thursday the management had been at a crisis
meeting away from the main campus to discuss prevailing issues including the
court-ordered eviction of National Academic Staff Association members and
the impending start of the new academic year.
NASA secretary Robert Songan was one of the last to be evicted on Saturday.

At the weekend, more than 800 first year students were sitting under shades
awaiting room allocation. Registration would begin today.
Some continuing students, among them the leaders of last year’s unrest, have
arrived but most are likely to arrive later in the week.