PNG university could shut over lack of funding

1:04 pm on 13 December 2016

The management of Papua New Guinea's University of PNG says it will close it down unless promised government funding is received.

University of PNG

University of PNG Photo: supplied

The university teaches about 17,000 students at its two campuses in Port Moresby.

The Post Courier said the government had granted the university $US3.6 million earlier this year for maintenance - mostly work needed in the wake of weeks of student unrest but the money has not been paid.

The Chancellor Dr Nicholas Mann said the University Council made a decision to close after the students uprising but opened due to heavy pressure from stakeholders, including the government.

At that time it set two critical conditions for the re-opening of the academic year - security and financial support, and this has not happened.

The Secretary for Higher Education David Kavanamur said while Cabinet had approved the spending it remained un-budgeted and the department will continue to pursue the funding through January and onward.

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