PRIME Minister James Marape has assured students that have been accepted to undergo their studies at the University of Papua New Guinea that the university will not turn them away.
PM Marape gave this assurance in light of the recent issue surrounding the turning down of Filipino female student, Roselyn Alog from registering herself at the UPNG main campus by the School of Humanities and Social Sciences.
PM assured Roslyn and all students, either national or international who received acceptance letters to study at the UPNG that the university is not in the business of turning away students and will not be turning away students this year.
He said UPNG will honour the acceptance letter that was sent to Roselyn and they will also assist her and her family to come up with a plan to meet her tuition fee requirements.
PM said in fact, the registration team at the university did not turn Roselyn away even after they found out that she has decided to honour her Filipina heritage by choosing to hold a passport for the Republic of Philippines.
PM Marape said because the student’s family is not here in the country at the moment, the University has put aside the issue of full payment of her tuition fee and have assisted her secure lodging and she will be able to formally register for classes.
However, PM said as Roselyn holds a Philippines passport, that makes her a Philippines citizen despite being born and raised in PNG.
He said therefore, as per the university’s guidelines on national and international students, she now falls under the category of International Student and will have to pay the tuition fee of an international student.
PM Marape also highlighted the erroneous headline run by Post-Courier on this issue.
PM said he knows that the erroneous headline and story on the front page of the Post Courier of the 2nd of February 2023 has caused so much distress for all students who are registering at UPNG.
He assured them that all students including Roselyn, who have received an acceptance letter from the University will be registered and where possible, assistance will be given to find other ways to pay off their tuition fees.
He emphasised that Roselyn was never turned away nor was she discriminated against.
“All citizens of all nationalities who meet our institutions entry requirements are welcome to study in PNG,” said PM
Meanwhile, Minister for Higher Education, Don Polye has slammed the university’s decision on Roselyn Alog as she went her entire education journey up to grade 12 under the PNG education system.
“I have considered that those students who have come through PNG’s education system, regardless of nationality over the year, have a right to to be given the same treatment as everyone else for enrolment,” Pole said.
