Parents and students selected on the Office of Higher Education (OHE) list for the University of Papua New Guinea, School of Business, have been going back and forth from UPNG and OHE to see if there is space for study.
A total of 54 students were selected on the OHE online selection, based on their Academic performance and UPNG quota. While only 15 were offered a space at the school of business.
Last week in Parliament, UPNG issues were a hot topic. One major issue was the selection list done by OHE, and the other by UPNG. Students selected on the OHE list gathered this morning at the DHERST office to question why they were not given a space.
” There has been a break-down in Communication,” Kerengua Kua, Member of Sinesine-Yongomugl said while directing the query to the Minister of Higher Education, Pila Niningi.
Minister Niningi said that the Department is addressing the matter.
Meanwhile, the students had declined to comment on camera.
The listing affected three schools in total. These are the Humanities and Law schools.
Acting VC during orientation told EMTV that the UPNG list was based on three requirements, academic results , quota and the students applying to UPNG. All of the 39 students say they did apply to UPNG’s School of business.
“We strictly base our selections on these. We cannot just put people in,” said VC Melaide.
Office of Higher Education’s selection process had two requirements: Academic results and the Quota.
The students are currently residing at the International village, but have had no access to the mess for the last two weeks.
Some have paid the compulsory fee with boarding and lodging, while others are awaiting news of a space, before paying.
While the classes for first years, begin next Monday.
Most of the students come from remote areas of the country, they say they have spent 13 years of their life studying to be selected to a university and it is unacceptable that the university will not accept them.
EMTV has tried to contact the Vice Chancellor for comments but was advised he was attending a meeting with Government officials.
The question on why the University is not accepting the students is still going unanswered.
