The embattled University of Technology Vice Chancellor, Dr. Albert Schram, has written to the Foreign Affairs Minister asking for a work visa to be granted to him.
Dr. Schram emailed Minister, Rimbink Pato, after learning he could only enter the country as a tourist or on a business visa.
This means while Dr. Schram may enter the country, he cannot resume work as Unitech’s Vice Chancellor.
The visit last week by five ministers eased much of the tension created by the Unitech boycott. Justice Minister Kerenga Kua’s statement was key in that it laid out the hurdles that caused much of the frustration.
First there was the travel ban imposed on Dr. Albert Schram several months earlier. That travel ban has been lifted.
Then, there is the court order which, in effect, extends to restrict Dr. Albert Schram from taking up his post as vice chancellor. It’s a sticky point that prompted the justice minister to order government lawyers to work to set aside the order.
With the travel ban lifted last Friday, Albert Schram is free to enter the country. But not as Vice Chancellor. Speaking from Australia, he said he has written to the Foreign Affairs Minister, Rimbink Pato to give him a work visa so he can resume work as Vice Chancellor.
Schram is still on the university payroll. His work contract ends in December 2015.
Last Friday, University students expressed some level of satisfaction following a three hour meeting between the government’s ministerial team but classes won’t resume until Schram returns as Vice Chancellor.
Last week, the Higher Education Minister announced the Sevua report was to have been presented to cabinet today and another visit to Unitech was proposed for tomorrow.
However, on Papua New Guinean facebook pages and blogs, what appear to be parts of the the Sevua report have already been made public.
It's release drawing long strings of comments.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=qiU__z2FseE%3Ffeature%3Doembed%26wmode%3Dopaque%26showinfo%3D0%26showsearch%3D0%26rel%3D0
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