The UPNG Student Representative Council held its projects fundraising dinner on Friday night at the Dynasty Seafood Restaurant for its 6 major projects to be carried out later this year.
UPNG SRC President Melvin Tinol said, for this year they have embarked on 6 projects.
In honour of the Late Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare a monument will be constructed within the campus, along with the 5 other projects as follows:
• Research Incentive program
• UPNG Journal Publication
• Generator for the Medical faculty
• Female Dorm Sanitary Bins &
• Reserve Water Tanks
Tinol acknowledged the sponsors for their support toward the University SRC’s incentives toward their 6 projects and hopes to see the UPNG Administration coming on board to help assist with the projects.
UPNG Vice Chancellor Pro. Frank Griffin also acknowledged everyone for participating in the projects fundraiser, especially the public, family and friends for supporting the student’s incentives toward their projects.
The Vice Chancellor said since 2016 the SRC was inactive and was re-established last year.
He added that, “they (the SRC) did not have a full team but in the space of 2months, the SRC was able to come up with this idea of fundraising to help fund their projects”.
“They have gone out of their way to put together this event in a space of two months. I commend the leadership and the energy put in to get the right sponsorship and support to make it happen and so hats off to each and every one of you for being the drive for what has happened now,” Tinol said.
Pro. Griffin has reassured the members of the SRC that his administration stands ready to partner with the students to accomplish their objectives no matter what.
“The University of Papua New Guinea does not receive any form of funding when it comes to goods and services.”
“Funding received from the government goes into paying for salaries.”
According to Pro. Griffin, when budget is handed down there are 2 components, one is the Recurring Budget and the other is the PIP’s.
Though they receive little funding, the university makes sure that buildings within the campus are looked after.
He further stated that, much of the resources they receive for their goods and services come from the fees they collect from the students at the beginning of the year.
“We have to prioritize in how we structure our expenditure plan to last the full 12 months of the academic year because majority of the resources that we receive for our goods and services comes from the student fees that we collect at the beginning of every semester,” said Pro. Griffin.