THE University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) Council has appointed Professor Betty Lovai as Acting Vice Chancellor and Mr Goiye Gileng as Acting Chancellor.
The appointments follow the resignation of Vice Chancellor Professor Ian Findlay yesterday and the Prime Minister’s call for Sir Robert Igara to step aside as Chancellor.
Pro Vice Chancellor Mr Gileng announced the Council’s decision today during a peaceful student sit-in protest at the Drill Hall, Waigani Campus. The announcement followed a Council meeting held earlier this morning.
The student protest was centred on three key demands:
- The immediate reinstatement of Professor Ian Findlay;
- An explanation from the University Council and Chancellor regarding the ongoing developments; and
- Intervention by the Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (DHERST) and the National Executive Council (NEC).
Addressing the students, Mr Gileng acknowledged their concerns and assured them that he would meet with the Minister for Higher Education, Hon. Kinoka Feo, to discuss the issues further and provide feedback.
Mr Gileng clarified that the appointments of the Acting Chancellor and Acting Vice Chancellor were decisions made by the University Council to fill the vacancies following the departures of Professor Findlay and Sir Robert Igara.
He further stated that the Council would respect and accept any decisions made by the Minister, the Government and other relevant authorities regarding the positions, in accordance with the law.