One of the directions from the University of Natural Resources and Environment (UNRE) Council’s resolution was to start classes on Monday, September 2.
This is in order to save the 2023 Almanac, however, this did not eventuate.
Students of UNRE, through their ‘PNG UNRE BOYCOTT UPDATES 2023’ Facebook page on Monday, Oct 2, said they will only resume classes once a new Senior Management Team (SMT) is in place or if the Minister for Higher Education receives their petition.
UNRE SRC adviser Manuel Prish said the main objective of the boycott is to remove the old SMT.
Good Minister for Sports, Department of Higher Education, Research Science and Technology, Don Polye, we want you to know that all the students here, we are so desperate to go to class, as you have mentioned in the newspaper that students need to go to class, but we cannot go to class until there is a proper learning standard established in this university.
All the student body have agreed and we are on a stand that if you cannot come and get this petition personally, we will call off this second semester, we will suspend the second semester, so that next year upon your changes of the SMT and the council we can come in as a whole.
Manuel Prish
The UNRE Council in a recent circular from the office of the Vice Chancellor stated that it allowed the current SMT to continue in acting capacity to ensure stability in the operations of the university, however, the recruitment process for a new Vice Chancellor, and other senior management positions is currently under way.
This exercise will also extend to all contract and line management positions as per the direction of the DHERST Minister in 2022 for a transparent recruitment of all positions.
The university will also facilitate a restructure with the Department of Personnel Management for UNRE.
East New Britain Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Chief Inspector Januarius Vosivai said police have restored order and contained the situation on the campus grounds and have de-escalated the situation.
From the group of 51 students that were arrested last week, 12 students were found to have a case and were arrested and charged while the rest were cautioned and released.
Police have seen that the students’ education is important, and so, the police used their discretion as not to further charge them.
Chief Inspector Vosivai