MOVES to change the Higher Education Act are simply a way to have greater control over universities, Papua New Guinea University of Natural Resources and Environment (PNGUNRE) vice-chancellor Phillip Siaguru says.
The Office of Higher Education ran advertisements announcing its intention to change the law but speaking during the launching of the PNG-Australia Alumni Association (PNGAAA) KoÂkopo chapter at the university last week, Siaguru said universities would lose their autonomy if the office had greater inÂfluence over them.
The excuse they are using is that whenever there is a demonstration or student protest, the government is helpless and the universities cannot handle their domestic affairs, I tell you that is an excuse.
Every year I receive calls from politicians, departmental heads because their child did not get a placing at the University of Papua New Guinea or University of Technology.
We are going to compromise it totally because politicians will call up vice-chancellors and say take my child or your job is gone.
Siaguru
It is understood that vice-chancellors from all universities took out an advertisement in last Friday’s newspapers, challenging the Act.
He urged the alumni to use their network to block this proposed amendment.