Papua New Guinea’s oldest institution, the Vudal Oro Campus, formerly known as Popondetta Agricultural Training Institution, is in urgent need of funding.
The institution is currently run by the University of Natural Resources and Environment, but still receives limited funding from the government.
This has affected student enrollment and staff performance.
Formerly known as the Popondetta Agricultural Institute, a name change in year 2000 recognized it as the University of Natural Resources and Environment, Oro Campus.
It was established in 1963, making it the oldest tertiary institution in the country.
But it has been neglected and forgotten by successive governments.
Empty paddocks are just the tip of the iceberg, highlighting the institution’s dire need of funding.
Most of its facilities have also seen better days. There is nothing new, everything is from 1963, says the Director
He expressed concern that funding constraints has crippled the institution.
Enrolment figures have decreased to 40 per year due to the shortage of space and staff morale has been on an all-time low.
He says, about one million kina is needed every year to effectively operate.
The Director was moved to tears when the Sohe MP, Delilah Gore, presented K200, 000 of her K400, 000 commitments for the campus while Governor, Gary Juffa, committed K750, 000.
The Institution could have been the premier agricultural training institution of the country, had the government not neglected it.
The director Jack Lapauve hopes the national government will look into their plight.
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