The Acting Secretary for the Department of Higher Education Research Science and Technology Dr Francis Hualupmomi has strongly condemned a bullying incident at the PNG University of Technology that resulted in a student’s room being totally ransacked by fellow students.
Dr Hualupmomi said his office is fully aware of the incident and he is hoping the University management can address this incident within their own capacity.
“University of Technology is an academic institution and not a place for rogue students.”
“I am confident that the University management will address this issue within their by-laws.”
The Secretary further clarified that the Department has no power to intervene in such matters as universities are established by the Act Parliament, and therefore they operate within their by-laws to address matters of concern such as bullying.
He said the Department addresses such matters through a quality assurance process whereby institutions are advised to establish policy and by-laws to protect the safety of students in accordance with the Higher Education General Provisions Act 2014 and quality assurance guidelines.
“I encourage all institutions of higher learning to develop strong policies or by-laws to prevent bullying, including sexual harassment.”
“In doing so, they protect the security of students and enhance the quality of learning.”
Meanwhile the PNG University of Technology Administration has refused to comment on the incident nor advise on the actions they are taking to deal with the students involved.
The family of the student who are based in Port Moresby have notified this Newsroom that they will be flying over to Lae to formally lodge a complaint with police and with the University Administration.