Ministerial Statement Regarding Harassment of Female by Male Students at PNGUoT
As Minister for Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (HERST), I am deeply concerned by the recent incident involving harassment of a female by male students at the PNG University of Technology (PNGUOT).
There is no excuse and I strongly condemn this behaviour from our students. University students are expected to exhibit a range of behaviours and attributes that demonstrates their level of intelligence, social and personal responsibility. University education in PNG is a privilege underwritten by the people of this country. Therefore, behaviours by any student or group of students that is unbecoming and lack maturity of judgement and appreciation, is not to be tolerated. Any student or group of students that do not appreciate this privilege accorded to them have no place in our universities or, for that matter, any other higher education institutions.
I have directed the Council and Administration of the PNG University of Technology (PNGUOT) to immediately:
- investigate the incident;
- take corrective measures, and;
- furnish a full report.
The official report and measures taken by the university will be revealed when these are concluded.
In the last 10 years, PNGUOT has made significant improvements in assuring quality of its programmes such as the recent international accreditation of its Engineering programmes. Since its inception in the late 1960s, the University has produced engineers, building architects, agriculturalist, accountants and technocrats that have contributed to the development of this country. Hence, I have confidence in the current Council and Administration to promptly and effectively address this issue so that the positive gains are not compromised by this single deviant behaviour.
Authorised by
Hon. Kinoka Feo. MP.
Minister for Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology