Popondetta staff call on Government to return institution to PNG UNRE

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Acting Director of the Popondetta institution, Cletus Tepaiyan (second
left) and the team that accompanied him to East New Britain.
 
STAFF of the University’s former Popondetta Campus are calling on the National Government to bring the campus back under PNG UNRE.
A team from the campus led by acting director Cletus Tepaiyan were at Vudal this month to meet with the UNRE Administration.
Mr Tepaiyan said the campus had contributed immensely to the Agriculture sector and would continue to do so if the Government reconsidered its 2014 decision to make it an autonomous higher education training institute, and return the institution to PNG UNRE.
The July 2014 decision of the National Executive Council had effectively removed the Popondetta college from PNG UNRE and placed it under the Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology as an independent institution. It was named Eastern Papua Institute of Agriculture and Technology and was to offer tertiary level training to students in the areas of agriculture and technology.
However, Mr Tepayan said no physical work has been done to indicate to staff that the Government is committed to its decision.
He said staff are confused and feel that their futures are uncertain.
He said in terms of landmass, Popondetta campus is one of the richest campuses in the country. The campus has 600 hectares of land.
Mr Tepaiyan said this is why it should be revived and its core business of training and equipping the young generation with the skills and knowledge to develop PNG’s natural resources sector, be allowed to continue.
He added that six years is too long for an institution to be left idle. 
Mr Tepaiyan said the decision has also affected many potential students who wished to study there.
He said those sentiments were relayed to UNRE Vice-Chancellor Dr Pongie Kichawen in their meeting with him on Monday, June 15.
The team asked that Dr Kichawen and the UNRE Administration relay their concerns to the University Council and ask that Council meet with relevant authorities to bring back the Popondetta institution under PNG UNRE.
Dr Kichawen said a consultant has been appointed by the University to look into the present status of both Popondetta and Maprik campuses.
He said once the study is completed, Council can be advised as to the next step forward.
Mr Tepaiyan expressed gratitude to Dr Kichawen for making time to see them and also other University staff who they also had discussions with.
Mr Tepaiyan also acknowledged and thanked the University and the Government for ensuring staff continue to receive their salaries. Other welfare matters, however, such as leave entitlements and other benefits are still outstanding. 
The acting Director said revenue generated from Oil Palm, Cocoa and Livestock kept the campus in operation since 2014.

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