UNIVERSITY OF GOROKA AIMS TO MATCH STANDARDS OF GLOBAL UNIVERSITIES

The Team Leader of the University of Goroka Academic Audit and Restructure and a Senior Lecturer and Head of the Division of Special/Inclusive Education and Curriculum Studies, Schools of Education, says the University of Goroka (UoG) aims to elevate its academic standards to match those of top universities worldwide, particularly the tertiary education system in the United States of America (USA). 

Mr John Longo Rombo said UoG aims to benchmark and accredit the UoG academic programmes through the USA Colleges and universities Commission and the initial talk is in advanced stages with the USA authorities. 

Mr Rombo said UOG aims to reach the same level of quality and standards as the leading universities in USA. 
“We are committed to building academics and students who are highly transformational, educated, and ready for the industry,” he added.

He thanked the Top Management Team led by the Vice Chancellor Dr Teng Waninga (PhD) and its current Chancellor Mr Joe Wemin for the university’s significant journey of transformation. 

At a recent event, the university outlined the changes aimed at revitalizing both the academic and infrastructure aspects of the institution.

“On this occasion, I wish to express my gratitude to the Marape/Rosso government for promoting tertiary education quality and acknowledge the leadership of the UOG Vice Chancellor Dr Teng Waninga (PhD) and the Chancellor Mr. Joe Wemin, who are driving these transformational changes with a vision for progress,” Rombo said. 

“You will notice on the billboard two distinct categories of changes happening: academic transformation and infrastructure changes, both essential and occurring simultaneously.”

He stressed the importance of academic and infrastructure changes, promising that the transformation would be evident in at least after five years of implementation.

The academic audit, covering the past 25 years, was highlighted as a critical component of this change and involves 8 different schools and institutes being audited and completed.

“All schools and programmes have been audited, and these reports are what we are launching today,” Mr Rombo stated.

The transformation is structured in multiple phases: Phase 1: Academic Audit, Phase 2: Academic Restructure moving forward into 2024 and beyond; Phase 3: Ensuring all programmes align with international standards, such as those in New Zealand, the UK, and America to attain academic quality; Phase 4: Implementation of new programmes and transition starting in January and February 2025 and; Phase 5: National and international programme benchmarking and accreditation, aimed to be attained through the USA tertiary education system. The primary aim is to purposefully improve Teacher Education and Training programmes in alignment with global best practices for quality assurance purposes.

This would lead to graduate mobility for our graduates internationally and promote student and staff exchange opportunities across the university. UOG will never be the same again going forward into the future