A meeting was held recently at the University of Goroka campus in which the Student Representative Council Presidents from the Divine Word University, University of Technology, University of Papua New Guinea and the University of Goroka came together to discuss various issues affecting students in their respective Universities.
UPNG Student Representative Council President, Mr Bradley Yombon-Copio said that the main agenda tabled by the University of PNG was the establishment of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for there to be a partnership and friendship between students in all tertiary Institutions around the country.
“The MOU signed will look into student exchange programs, Inter-university sporting activities, academic debates, programs and more importantly focus on the Government Policy on Higher Education which affects all students,” said Mr Yombon-Copio.
The SRC Presidents shared ideas, experiences and problems that confront them daily and important steps in establishing unity across all higher learning institutions.
“Because the base line and direction that we want to set is that our focus must be within the institution.”
Mr Yombon – Copio added that for far too long, the UPNG SRC has been consumed by national politics and trending issues and in the process, they have neglected themselves.
“Our focus has to be within the Institutions and not on national politics or problems that base our country which are also significant however we believe that focusing within the institutions and improving quality of students and graduates can also greatly contribute to the future of our country as well,” he said.
“This must change, we are the future of this country and we must invest in ourselves, the future of this country and those who will take the country forward are within these institutions,” said the UPNG SRC President.
In light of this, Mr Yombon – Copio said their focus will be based on student issues and interests above all.
“There is no magic pill to all the problems we face now in this country and if we want a better future for our country, we must start with ourselves.
Change must start in here before it reaches Papua New Guinea,” said Mr Yombon-Copio.
He further expressed his gratitude and thanks for such a meeting to have taken place as the meeting was a historical one and the first of its’ kind as it signified a new direction to focus on students’ issues and interests alone with unity being the main agenda of the gathering to allow for everyone to work together for the future.