A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed by the Student Representative Council (SRC) Presidents of the University of Papua New Guinea, University of Technology, Pacific Adventist University, Divine Word University, IBS University and the University of Goroka at the UPNG SRC Office on Sunday 22nd of August.
UPNG SRC President Mr. Bradley Yombon-Copio said the main purpose of the MOU is to have an understanding and agreement in place for state institutions as well as private and church run institutions to work in partnership for future activities such as student exchange programs, sporting activities, academic activities like debates and most importantly to outline the DHERST Policies which affects state institutions across the country.
“There are issues that affect each institution and we believe that if we focus and prioritize our interest within the institutions and focus on producing quality elites and change our direction on what we were actually known for, then we can change the future of this country,” said Bradley.
Mr. Yombon-Copio said all tertiary institutions are producing the future leaders of this country and as such the way forward is for the National Government to partner together with the institutions in order to produce quality elites for the future.
He said this is the first step in building the right foundations so that the SRC and students can partner and work together for a common good.
“I thank the leaders of the institutions who are here and have agreed to work together and this is the first step in building the right foundations so that our SRC and students can partner and work together for a common good,” said Mr. Yombon-Copio.
University of Goroka SRC President Jim Harold said Papua New Guinea as a nation has the potential to excel and it has to start with the place where intellectuals are produced and that is the tertiary institutions.
He said the signing of the MOU will be a starting point and foundation on which the upcoming SRC Presidents will follow and add on to.
“This MOU will create an avenue for students to reach out not just in academic work but also with the exchange programs, inter-university programs such as this sporting event which will help to cut down anti-social behaviors like drunkenness and other behaviors which are not acceptable,” Mr. Harold said.
Elizah Kapma, SRC President for the University of Technology said, “How can this country be developed when the institutions that are going to be developing this country are not standing together as one.”
“We have to stand as one to bring this nation forward for the next 46 years and let us look forward to what we can do for our country.”
God has given us wisdom to make a very tough call to bring these institutions together regardless of the challenges whatsoever,” Mr Kapma said.
Mr Kapma said this is the time to prove to the nation that the elites of this country are standing as one and this opportunity is not to be taken for granted but to be taken with open arms to make sure that what has been started today will go a long way.
“The Vice Chancellors Cup is one of the events hosted to commemorate this great occasion and having all universities coming together to sign this MOU is the icing on the cake,” President Elizah said.
Mr Kapma said that the Univeristy of Technology is happy to be standing together in unity with the rest of the other institutions to move this agenda forward.