By Jack Lapauve Jr – EM TV, Port Moresby
The University of Goroka (UOG) resumed its academic year yesterday with a small but significant dedication service.
UOG Chancellor, Joseph Sukwianomb, declared the academic year open.
Pro-Vice Chancellor, Dr. Samuel Kopamu, when welcoming the staff for the new academic year, said God must be put at the centre of all of the university’s operations.
Sukwianomb told the gathering that the council was working to bring normalcy to the university.
“I want to remind us that we are working to re-establish normalcy back to The University of Goroka,” Sukwianomb said.
“One of the main task we have at hand is to review the UOG Act 1997.
“We are looking to review and revise the university statues to conform with the Higher Education Act 2014,” he added.
He also said that the council has begun work on writing the UOG Governance Manual, which has become a critical requirement under the Higher Education Act 2014. All universities are required to conform to the Act.
He said student tuition fees for this year remain the same as 2015. This is because of the El Nino effects the country has faced affecting the economy.
Sukwianomb said the university would recruit’senior and experienced academics and administrators to produce quality teachers and skilled professionals for the country.
This year looks brighter for the university as plans are underway to set up campus-wide Internet access through Wi-Fi for students. This is to ensure minimum standard requirements are met.
The council is also working on standardising remuneration packages for the staff of UOG in order to make the award package align with other universities.
The service, led by SDA Pastor Simeon Waiwai, was staged at the Mark Solon Auditorium and was attended by over 50 academic staff, non-academic staff and casuals.
Three members of the interim-UOG Council, Chancellor Sukwianomb, Pro-Chancellor Dr. Musawe Sinebare and George Minjihau represented the council during the dedication service.
