MP questions delay in university establishment

Caption: Ijivitari MP David Arore



By MATTHEW VARI


Sunday, March 27, 2016 (PNG)




MEMBER for Ijivitari, David Arore, has raised queries in parliament this week on the timeframe at which the proposed Eastern Papua University establishment will come into fruition.

Mr Arore’s concerns comes amid initial funding contributions by his electorate in its formulation from the former University of Natural Resources and Environment campus in Popondetta, Oro Province- and also in concern with no enrollment of students at the current facility whilst the establishment is still taking place.

“In 2014 the National Executive Council approved 6 institutions in the country to be institutions of higher education in the country,” Arore said.

“One of the six was the former UNRE Vudal campus Popondetta. Since then the NEC approved the institution become an autonomous institution on its own to be called the Eastern Papua institute of Higher Education to enroll our so many grade 12 leavers who are leaving via our education system in the country.”

“To date the UNRE sciences in Rabaul have withdrawn all staff, operations, and finances to that campus as per the NEC decision of 2014 and there is no staff there. They have taken back the institution under the Department Of Higher Education Research Science And Technology.”

He asked what the department is doing, with 2016 having no new intake of students for the year.

“To show its commitment to the NEC decision the district development authority approved in this year’s budget a total of K500,000 as our counterpart funding to the establishment of this new institution to enroll our grade 12s.”

In his response, Minister for Higher Education Malakai Tabar, said that planning was still ongoing with transition high on the agenda for the year. He also called on the provincial government to play a bigger role due to its presence on the ground.

“These are questions on a few outstanding matters that my department is working on. We actively paid a visit to the province last year, and I was expecting some of you leaders to be there with me and unfortunately nobody came with me,” the minister said.

“I saw the acting provincial administrator and I am expecting a provincial a provincial executive resolution as so far as that institution is concerned.”

“I also summoned the council of University of Natural Resources and Environment and they effectively held a meeting last year to action the decision of NEC as an autonomous council they had to make the decision to deal with the campus in Popondetta with a similar decision on the campus in Maprik.”

He called on the provincial government to coordinate themselves so that funding to facilitate the establishment is channeled through.

“The money that is held by each district is channeled through the provincial government who, through the provincial treasury, holds that money,” Tabar explained.

“The provincial government then organizes through the institution during the transition period, and the provincial government needs to make some resolution to take ownership.”

“There are 5 institutions affected by the 2014 NEC decision. We are in a situation where we would like to visit all these places. The need is effectively pressing on us with 22,000 to 23,000 students that need places in 2016.”

Governor Juffa, in responding to the minister’s remarks, informed parliament that the provincial government was taking all necessary measure to accommodate the institute’s establishment.

“This is a provincial asset and we are happy to take it on-board,” Juffa added.