The re-entry for students attending the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) next year is now a concern for sponsors.
An officer from the Sinesine Yongomugl District expressed this while distributing return tickets for Sinesine Yongomugl UPNG students. First Secretary to the District Major Wou expressed sentiments of the hardship students will face come 2017 when the university opens its doors for enrolment.
“We believe the decision to terminate the 2016 academic year will have its toll for you students,” said Wou.
With the disruption of the second semester, the Higher Education Department made it clear during the student unrest that all government sponsored students under HECAS and TESAS will be forfeited, and for students to reapply. But for these Sinesine Yongomugl students, going home is what they have been waiting for.
“We all have been stranded since the shootings took place and the announcement of the closure of the academic year,” said the President of the Sinesine Yongomugl UPNG Students Association.
“It is a timely help from our political leader to assist us in sending us home and we would like to thank the District,” he added.
Over 60 students were presented tickets recently to return to Simbu, and back to their homes. Students started travelling out of Port Moresby early this week.
