Please sign petitions to help save Unitech | Act Now!

Original: Please sign petitions to help save Unitech | Act Now!
December 29th 2013
Posted by Tim

Students Demonstrate Outside Council meeting in the Holiday Inn on 12 December

A long running battle between students and staff of Unitech continues against former Unitech chancellor Philip Stagg, former pro-chancellor Ralph Saulep, terminated UNITECH Professor Narayan Gehlot and higher education minister David Arore.

Merry Christmas to you!

2013 in review

Here is my year in pictures. First of course the unlawful and unjustified deportations on 7 February, 8 March and narrowly avoided on 15 April. The experience of being treated as a criminal and being hunted down in PNG by an angry Minister and his armed guns for hire, was truly memorable. As a consequence, Paulina and I spent the rest of the year in exile and mostly in limbo as to our future.

The highlights were certainly the splendid and ongoing hospitality offered by James Cook University's Cairns Institute, where I was appointed as Adjunct Professor. Furthermore, meeting other Vice-Chancellor's from the Global South at the World Academic Summit in Octobre in Singapore was memorable. It was also nice to receive the best conference paper award for my work on time-use in India and PNG.

Merry Xmas to you all.

From Papua New Guinea Blogs: Expression Of Concern And Sympathy For Minister David Arore

Original: Papua New Guinea Blogs: Expression Of Concern And Sympathy For Minister David Arore
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
By ANDREW PANAUAI

Minister David Arore, I am sure many who support our current government were pleased to hear your announcement on Friday agreeing to release the unitech Sevua report. This decision is long overdue and commended.

Unitech Saga: Report to Be Released After Festive Season - EM TV

(Come on Mr. Arore, me, a national security threat? Are you serious? I believe the students revolted several times, because I was NOT present in the country. So first you think you can fire me, and then you release the Sevua report which clears me of all the silly allegations made in my regard?

You have no powers to dismiss me and should not disregard the autonomy of the UNITECH Council, which has endorsed me as VC of UNITECH twice now in its August and December meetings. You yourself are causing continuous unrest and instability by your failure to end this saga.

Merry Xmas to you too.

AS)

Original, including video: Unitech Saga: Report to Be Released After Festive Season - EM TV
on Friday, 20 December 2013. Posted in News

The report on the Unitech Saga will be released after the festive season.

Minister for Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, David Arore, gave his assurance that this will be accomplished.
He has appealed to students not to take matters into their own hands, and let due process be completed.

Minister Arore defended his decision on the termination of Unitech Vice Chancellor, Dr. Albert Schram.

Hon. Minister of Higher Education Research & Technology, David Arore MP

Mr. Arore says, the Unitech Administration did not seek his permission to keep Dr. Scrham on the payroll for the whole year. He says, Dr. Schram has become a threat to the national security of the country.

His presence alone is causing students to revolt, he says.

The investigations are completed and the report will be published soon. He has appealed for calm among the students.

He will not rescind his decision, unless advised by the National Executive Council.

He says, there are plans to appoint a new Vice Chancellor once the report has been released.

UNITECH students want Schrum (sic!) back

I love Dr. Schrum, my pidgin name . Please sign the petition, it is really important http://www.avaaz.org/en/petition/Papua_New_Guineas_Prime_Minister_Hon_Peter_ONeill_call_back_UNITECHs_ViceChancellor_Dr_Albert_Schram/

Post Courier 16 December 2013

Flicker of hope is seen in long-running Schram affair - Keith Jackson & Friends: PNG ATTITUDE

Original: Flicker of hope is seen in long-running Schram affair - Keith Jackson & Friends: PNG ATTITUDE
14 December 2013



KEITH JACKSON



ON 8 FEBRUARY THIS YEAR, the vice-chancellor of the University of Technology in Lae, Albert Schram (pictured), was deported from Papua New Guinea. No justification was given for this precipitate action and, since then, Dr Schram’s requests for a both a new visa and an explanation have been ignored.

How should universities respond to student protests? – 10 views | Higher Education Network | Guardian Professional

Original : How should universities respond to student protests? – 10 views | Higher Education Network | Guardian Professional

Luke Martell, professor of political sociology, University of Sussex

"Student protest should be encouraged. How managements respond to it is about the sort of university you have in the first place. When choices are made about the university's future, staff, students and their unions should be meaningful citizens and partners. ... It's inevitable people look for other ways to make their voices heard."

Report into troubled Unitech will not be made public - Keith Jackson & Friends: PNG ATTITUDE

(A piece from Radio New Zealand from last June. The Minister seems to have decided that all problems at UNITECH must continue and Schram should not come back. No consideration whatsoever for the staff and students, or the VC. AS)

Report into troubled Unitech will not be made public - Keith Jackson & Friends: PNG ATTITUDE

23 June 2013


RADIO NEW ZEALAND INTERNATIONAL

THE PAPUA NEW GUINEA GOVERNMENT says an investigation it ordered into unrest at the University of Technology in Lae will not be made public.

The government ordered the inquiry after a split between the management and the board at the university sparked rioting by students.

From Papua New Guinea Blogs: Papua New Guinea’s Sir Nagora Bogan will determine outcome of the trial of University of Technology Vice Chancellor Albert Schram

Original: Papua New Guinea Blogs: Papua New Guinea’s Sir Nagora Bogan will determine outcome of the trial of University of Technology Vice Chancellor Albert Schram
Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Papua New Guinea’s Sir Nagora Bogan will determine outcome of the trial of University of Technology Vice Chancellor Albert Schram

Meet Sir Nagora Bogan, Chancellor of the PNG University of Technology (Lae) and head of the UniTech governing council.

We have investigated Sir Nagora. He has a respectful record of service as a former ambassador to the USA and serves on the boards of many PNG institutions, often as chairman.

From Papua New Guinea Blogs: Now we know why Peter O’Neill Appointed David Arore As HERST Minister

Original: Papua New Guinea Blogs: Now we know why Peter O’Neill Appointed David Arore As HERST Minister
Sunday, December 8, 2013
By PAUL J PERAKIN

Honourable David Arore, Minister Higher Education Research Science & Technology

In today’s world, a country or a people’s reputation is determined by what the world’s more educated people think. Such people are widely read, sometimes well travelled, and able to carry on an intelligent conversation on many topics. The most respected media companies want such people as bureau chiefs and reporters, because smart, educated people are curious enough to investigate and compare extensively before writing about some event happening in the world. These writers inject the perspective of a well educated mind into whatever they write and if they want something to look foolish, that’s what they do.

From Papua New Guinea Blogs: Universities in PNG managed only by the best can survive in the competitive real world.

(At UNITECH we hired over 20 Faculty members with a PhD from reputable universities. To be frank, as long as the VC crisis at UNITECH is not solved, regrettably not many top expats will want to work in PNG. Council and VC need to work together, just as at DWU. AS)


Original Papua New Guinea Blogs: Universities in PNG managed only by the best can survive in the competitive real world.
By PNG FIRST

Thursday, December 5, 2013

UNITECH's Europa Building: a lot of potential (AS)

UPNG and Unitech have been falling backwards for many years. Divine Word passed up these 2 government unis long ago. The reason is obvious. DWU president comes from European culture and DWU is run more like a foreign uni. It doesn’t matter if Father Jan Czuba is a citizen or not. He grew up overseas and manages in a way the rest of the world aspires to. He has a European concept of time and in making decisions that look at long term needs. The way Father Czuba runs Divine Word is the way all PNG unis should be run.

Denounce Corruption Contact PNG Echo | PNG Echo

(Thank you Susan for this initiative. Given the "ineffectiveness of government spending" and the grinding poverty in PNG, nobody can be against exposing corruption. Regrettably, now it is still those who expose corruption who have to be looking over their shoulders. AS).

Contact PNG Echo | PNG Echo

Dr. Susan Merrell

I am asking all PNGeans to become whistleblowers of corruption. I want the corrupt of PNG – especially corrupt leaders, to be constantly looking over their shoulder, wondering who will be watching and reporting on what they do.

From Papua New Guinea Blogs: Will Papua New Guinea hang this man on 12th December?

(Now also published by Keith Jackson's Blog. AS)

Papua New Guinea Blogs: Will Papua New Guinea hang this man on 12th December?
Tuesday, December 3, 2013

By PNGBLOGS


On Thursday, 12th December 2013, the council of the PNG University of Technology will decide the fate of UniTech Vice Chancellor Albert Schram. At stake is the standard of education UniTech students will be getting in coming.

From Papua New Guinea Blogs: In the holy name of Transparency, The Righteous Examines the Obstructionist in the Unitech Saga

Monday, December 2, 2013

In the holy name of Transparency, The Righteous Examines the Obstructionist in the Unitech Saga



By PASTOR THOMAS









Praises to God that a few TRUE PATRIOTS AND TRUE CHILDREN OF GOD are coming out with information that should be shared with the readers of PNGBLOGS. The main obstructionists in Unitech Saga are now known.

Horizon 2020 – Europe's grand research funding scheme - University World News

Horizon 2020 – Europe's grand research funding scheme - University World News
Horizon 2020 gets green light from European Parliament
original

The European Parliament voted last Thursday on the final version of the union’s record research and innovation programme for 2014-20, dubbed Horizon 2020. The European Union has allocated €79 billion (US$106 billion) to spend on research and innovation projects, not just on the continent but also around the world.

From Papua New Guinea Blogs: Bold Belden gains momentum on corruption fight.

(It seems there were some truly spirited discussions in Parliament, sign of a vibrant democracy in PNG. But where is the Sevua Report about the UNITECH investigation? AS)

Papua New Guinea Blogs: Bold Belden gains momentum on corruption fight.
Friday, November 22, 2013



By JASON GIMA WURI

Opposition Leader and Member for Vanimo Green Hon. Belden Namah has taken a bold stand to fight corruption and he will not sleep until corruption is ridded from the corridors of Waigani.

Mr Namah has publicly accused the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea of giving directives for payments to be made to Paul Paraka Lawyers.

UNITECH battle will be fought in the supreme court

Published on Sharp Talk

"The UNITECH saga may find an end soon in the Supreme Court in Port Moresby. On 16 December there will be a hearing where Manase Lawyers moves to dismiss the appeal that protects the substantive Vice-Chancellor and the Interim Council from all silly allegations and frivolous claims made in their regard. At previous hearings UNITECH was not represented by any lawyer.

The ABC of higher education leadership — www.universityworldnews.com

The ABC of higher education leadership — www.universityworldnews.com

original

Prof. Maurits van Rooyen

I have never been short on ideas and opinions about higher education, but when forced to highlight my main ideas, I would select the following three realities that, in my view, will and should dominate our future debates on the topic.

Higher education and globalisation

First, and most fundamental, is something I have talked a lot about over the past 25 or so years: Higher education cannot nor should not want to be immune to globalisation.

Speech - PNG Universities Twinning Workshop - Australian High Commission

(A most gracious speech indeed, thank you High Commissioner.

The Independent Review of the PNG University System was commissioned in 2010, and approved by the Government of PNG in June 2012 with an implementation plan. There is still a lot more work to do, however, before twinning can be arranged, namely accreditation of at least the first two years of the bachelor's program. In between the nice words: "To date, the PNG Government has not allocated funding for quality to trigger Australia’s kina for kina commitment." I have written this elsewhere, so no state secrets are being revealed here. Regrettably, the results of Jeanette Baird's work has not been distributed to the universities. Finally, the Sevua report on university governance at UNITECH has to be released so that academics unjustly persecuted by the Government of PNG can come back. Let's not ignore the elephant in the room, it makes us all look silly. AS)

Speech - PNG Universities Twinning Workshop - Australian High Commission

Dinner Address by Australia’s High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, HE Ms Deborah Stokes at the PNG Universities Twinning Workshop

8 November 2013

Deborah Stokes, Australian High Commissioner in Port Moresby PNG

It is a great pleasure to be here this evening to be with you and to talk about higher education in PNG.

When there are so many needs in a country, it can sometimes be hard to justify spending money on universities.

Papua New Guinea Blogs: OHE's Kavanamur and acting VC Pumwa allowing the Secret Sevua report saga to paralyse Unitech

(I learned to look at what people do, and not listen to what they say. The Sevua Report is still not published, thus allowing all kinds of lies and untrue stories about UNITECH and myself to fester. I am happy somebody is keeping the main issue alive, and I don't have to do all the writing myself. AS).

Papua New Guinea Blogs: OHE's Kavanamur and acting VC Pumwa allowing the Secret Sevua report saga to paralyse Unitech

Tuesday, November 12, 2013


By Unitech Loyalist

UniTech confusion is getting worse. Is Minister David Arore of HERST out of control in the O’Neill government or part of a government that lies at every turn? The former council of UniTech created this mess. The new council headed by Sir Nagora Bogan is the possible way out of this mess but council can’t approve the Sevua report because Minister David Arore ordered the report not to be acted upon even within the council meeting.

Remember this?

Press Statement on the Results of the UNITECH Mediation Team

Tuesday 12th November we will celebrate a sad anniversary. It will be 1 year ago that the Honourable David Arore, Minister of Higher Education made a press statement announcing the results of the first investigation about UNITECH affairs. The recommendations included:

eCampus News: Higher education evolution: Student life in 2023

eCampus News Higher education evolution: Student life in 2023 » eCampus News


College could be a very different place when freshmen step foot on university campuses in the fall of 2023. For starters, many students will find that step to be entirely virtual.




Accreditation could change dramatically by 2023.

Papua New Guinea Blogs: The Top Secret Sevua Report

(The last sentence of the piece seems to suggest the report will not be released. Follow the link to the original, and you will find my comment. AS)


Papua New Guinea Blogs: The Top Secret Sevua Report

In late January 2013 Prime Minister O’Neill announced there would be an inquiry to investigate the growing problems at Papua New Guinea’s University of Technology (UNITECH). The report produced by respected Judge Sevua was to be the road forward and the final word on a saga that had been slowly growing and exposing to the world the widely acknowledged massive corruption that had taken over the leadership of this once fine university.

Passing the buck

(The silence in Waigani on this issue is prolonged and deafening. If there is no evidence for all the silly allegations made in my regard, why am I not given a visa? AS)

The famous Southern Bloc at the World Academic Summit (Singapore, 2 October 2013) with  Pro-Vice-Chancellor International Prof. Tinyiko Maluleke and the Vice-Chancellor Prof. Ihron Rensburg of the University of the Johannesburg (South Africa).

Saulep and Stagg stonewalled Unitech Investigation — www.pngblogs.com

(Thank you PNG Blogs for bringing this up. It is not up to me to answer any of the questions in the article. When are we going to get answers? AS)

Oct. 14, 2013
original

Former Chancellor Phillip Stagg

Does anyone know the latest on the strange story of Unitech VC Shram? As a former Unitech, this case is of special interest to me. What I have found out from some people at office of higher education is as follows: the report by Judge Sevua commissioned by the PM was completed long ago and it finds VC Shram innocent of all charges brought on by certain members of the old Council (mostly Ralph Saulep and Philip Stagg) who presided over Unitech’s many years of decline and seemed to be trying to cover up their sins by trying to get rid of Shram.

Tackling corruption in African higher education

Tackling corruption in African higher education — www.universityworldnews.com

original

Sub-Saharan Africa is consistently ranked by Transparency International as the most corrupt region in the world – with corruption leading to abuse of political power and failure in the delivery of basic services such as health care, sanitation and public education.

Its Global Corruption Report: Education, released on 1 October, argues that corruption has not just raised the cost of higher education but has also hindered socio-economic progress in many African countries by diminishing the quality of university education.

7 things universities from low-income countries can learn from world's leading research intensive universities

World class universities obtain a substantial percentage of their academic talent from abroad. In the USA, for example, the percentage of foreign born PhD students is around 40%. A large part of this talent pool has obtained its first degree at a university in the Global South, or at an unranked university. We are working in the same system, which is why it is important we strengthen the ties between these two very different type of universities.

Papua New Guinea University of Technology: Kofi Haus

Universities in the Global South, however, must first do their homework before they can productively engage with their world class cousins.

A Leadership Blog: Why We Need Strangers — www.leadershipnow.com — Readability

A Leadership Blog: Why We Need Strangers — www.leadershipnow.com
original




Part of the reason we get stuck and part of the reason we lack the feedback we need is that we are surrounded by the familiar. The familiar that continuously reminds us that we are doing the best we can and that we are doing it right. We are mired in the familiar when what we need is the strange.

We need strangers. “These strangers,” writes Alan Gregerman in The Necessity of Strangers, “whom we quickly choose to ignore or form an opinion about, are the people who force us out of our comfort zones and challenge us to question the knowledge, belief, and habits we hold dear.”

Gregerman asks, “What if strangers are actually, in many ways, more important than friends?” Interesting question.

University of Queensland nepotism row: CMC tables report to Parliament, recommends legislative action - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

(As they say in Italian: tutto il mondo è paese - the whole world is a village. It is good the report is discussed in Parliament. AS)

University of Queensland nepotism row: CMC tables report to Parliament, recommends legislative action - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) 

By Stephanie Smail. Updated Fri 13 Sep 2013, 8:53pm AEST

Queensland's corruption watchdog has delivered a scathing review of a nepotism scandal at The University of Queensland, finding a former vice chancellor's daughter was given a publicly funded placement despite falling short of entry requirements.

The Crime and Misconduct Commission's (CMC) review of the case, which was tabled in Queensland Parliament today, shows no formal complaints were made for nine months despite many staff and senior executives knowing about the placement. In late 2010, the university offered a publicly funded medicine scholarship to the daughter of then vice chancellor Professor Paul Greenfield.

Foreign varsities get independent access to India - Livemint

Foreign varsities get independent access to India - Livemint


Foreign universities can now set up campuses and offer degrees in India without having a local partner. Prashant K. Nanda


First Published: Tue, Sep 10 2013. 01 53 PM IST




Currently, a foreign university needs to join hands with a local education provider to offer courses in India and the degrees are not considered foreign degrees. Photo: Bloomberg


New Delhi: The government has decided to allow foreign universities to operate independently in India, set up campuses and offer degrees without having a local partner—a move that finally opens the gates for foreign educational institutions seeking to establish a presence in the country.

Rankings and accreditations - Maastricht University

(I believe Maastricht University, where I used to work has a future proof strategy. The eyes is on the ball -i.e. rankings and performance -, and there is a plan on how to thrive in an increasingly more competitive and international environment. AS)

Rankings and accreditations - Maastricht University

he Problem-Based Learning system at Maastricht University guarantees a high quality education. Students get more out of their studies, take less time to complete their studies and are overall more satisfied.

Rankings

High scores in ‘under 50’ rankings

In two prestigious rankings that list the best universities worldwide under the age of 50, UM scores very high grades. In the Times Higher Education 100 under 50, UM ranks 6th, making a sharp rise from 19th in 2012 (read the news report); in the QS ‘top 50 under 50’, UM ranks 7th (read the press release).

Elsevier

In the 2012 edition of the Dutch magazine Elsevier, students and professors rank universities based on their range of programmes, facilities, curriculum, quality of teaching, testing standards and overall organisation and communication:

• Twelve UM programmes found their way into the Top 3, and four achieved the top spot: International Business, Tax Law, Medicine and European Studies.

Portal:Tertiary Education - Wikiversity

Portal:Tertiary Education - Wikiversity

Welcome to Wikiversity's Tertiary Education Portal, an entry-point for Wikiversity's university-related content.

Brain Drain: PNG continues to lose its best and brightest | the Masalai blog

Brain Drain: PNG continues to lose its best and brightest | the Masalai blog

June 25, 2013 in Australia 

by Hilda Wayne

PAPUA New Guinea’s best and brightest elites are decamping to Australia and around the world, taking with them ready-made skills and talents and as it seems they have the best prerequisites for success internationally working in the resource industry.

Globalisation it seems has given Papua New Guineans the opportunity to become compatible internationally and they are experiencing better job opportunities they never had before. Australian companies are wasting no time looking for PNG’s home grown talent who are helping to boost its buoyant industry.

Maastricht University rises to top 10 ranking among young universities

(I am proud to have been part of this exciting ride. AS)


Maastricht University rises to top 10 ranking among young universities

Maastricht University has made it into the top 10 of the Times Higher Education 100 Under 50 Ranking. In the 2nd edition of this special ranking for young universities UM rose from 19th to 6th place. This reflects UM’s dramatic rise in the THE World University Rankings 2012-2013, where UM rose an impressive 82 places to the 115th position.

The rise in both rankings was due largely to a better reputation score, to good scores in the percentage of international staff and students, and to research quality, including number of scientific citations.

BBC News - IMF launching courses on online university

 

The IMF wants to raise public understanding of economic problems facing governments around the world

BBC News - IMF launching courses on online university


IMF launching courses on online university By Sean Coughlan BBC News education correspondent


The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is set to join an online university network and will run finance courses which will be available free to students around the world.

UNITECH Inquiry report presented to PM - EM TV

(Corrigendum: it is not an official inquiry but an investigation with no rules for evidence or powers to call witnesses. AS)

UNITECH Inquiry report presented to PM - EM TV

The final Commission of Inquiry report into the University of Technology was handed over to Prime Minister Peter O’Neill yesterday.

The six member team of investigators looked sharp in black at PM’s conference room at parliament house yesterday.

PNG to impose harsher penalties in corporate fraud - Islands Business magazine

PNG to impose harsher penalties in corporate fraud - Papua New Guinea - News - Islands Business magazine

From NBC PNG NEWS
Wed 22 May 2013

PORT MORESBY, PNG ---The Papua New Guinea Government has been called on to consider imposing the highest penalties on people involved in corporate fraud.

Member for Kundiawa/Gembogl, Tobias Kulang, made this call in Parliament Tuesday, and again at a media conference soon after, following revelations of a massive white collar and corporate crime within the Finance Department.

Polye: Higher Education Act to be Ammended - EM TV

Polye: Higher Education Act to be Ammended - EM TV

on Saturday, 27 April 2013.






Treasury and Acting Higher Education Minister Don Polye said at a media conference today, the higher education Act will be amended.

Professional programs must be accredited to international standards, says minister - Education News PNG

Professional programs must be accredited to international standards, says minister - Education News PNG

By Bernard on May 16, 2013




In the government’s push and commitment to developing human resources, all tertiary institutes are being urged to upgrade their programs to international standards.

Maya Angelou on Courage and Creativity - HBR IdeaCast - Harvard Business Review

Maya Angelou on Courage and Creativity - HBR IdeaCast - Harvard Business Review

by HBR IdeaCast | 5:14 PM May 2, 2013

TRANSCRIPT

ALISON BEARD: Welcome to the HBR IdeaCast from Harvard Business Review. I'm Alison Beard. I'm on the phone today with one of America's most beloved writers, Maya Angelou. Dr. Angelou, thanks so much for joining us.

MAYA ANGELOU: My pleasure, thank you, Ms. Beard.

7 Ways Teachers Can Create Videos without Installing any Software ~ Educational Technology and Mobile Learning

7 Ways Teachers Can Create Videos without Installing any Software ~ Educational Technology and Mobile Learning


Today while I was reading a short article on the importance of videos in education, it dawned on me to compile a list of some of the best video creation tools to share with you here. I do have a separate section here in Educational Technology and Mobile Learning where I have been featuring a plethora of video tools . But today's collection is somehow different not only because it contains the cream of the crop but also because these tools are all web based.

BBC News - Jimmy Wales: Boring university lectures 'are doomed'

(As I said in my lecture on the 8th of June 2011: universities now need transformative leadership, but what they get is transactional leadership. I do not believe however, The lecture is not going to be completely dead. Universities have been staging them for over 9 centuries, since the first university opened its doors in Bologna in 1088. AS.)

BBC News - Jimmy Wales: Boring university lectures 'are doomed'

The boring university lecture is going to be the first major casualty of the rise in online learning in higher education, says Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales.

The custodian of the world's biggest online encyclopaedia says that unless universities respond to the rising tide of online courses new major players will emerge to displace them, in the way that Microsoft arrived from nowhere alongside the personal computer.

Research funding: 10 tips for writing a successful application | Higher Education Network | Guardian Professional

Research funding: 10 tips for writing a successful application | Higher Education Network | Guardian Professional


Research funding: 10 tips for writing a successful application

Securing funding through grant proposals can be a long and difficult process. Experts share their advice on how to help your applications succeed.

THE Thatcher had ‘immense impact’ on higher education (8 April)

Thatcher had ‘immense impact’ on higher education (THE 8 April)

“Before Mrs Thatcher, universities were very similar to public utilities – run for the benefit of staff with government money. Now they are stellar,” said Professor Kealey.

Why does social science have such a hard job explaining itself?

Why does social science have such a hard job explaining itself? | Higher Education Network | Guardian Professional:

Albert Einstein once put it "understanding physics is child's play compared to understanding child's play".

(Ironically, political science is one of the few behavioural or social sciences that makes accurate predictions specifically about elections results. Economics, famously, has no such track record. AS)

Achieving Vision 2050 through Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology – 7th Huon Seminar ← Education News PNG

Achieving Vision 2050 through Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology – 7th Huon Seminar ← Education News PNG

The Papua New Guinea University of Technology (Unitech) will be hosting the 7th Huon Seminar on the 13 and 14 of November at the Taraka Campus in Lae, Morobe Province, and is inviting interested parties to submit abstracts on the theme “Achieving Vision 2050 through Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology”.

Sub themes are based on pillars 1, 2 and 5 of the Vision 2050 and includes but is not limited to:

• Higher Education;
• Training and Development;
• Science and Technology;

Good Old-Fashioned Problem Based Learning + Mobile Technology = Didactic Dynamite!

It's a Flipping Revolution - Do Your Job Better - The Chronicle of Higher Education

"For those who haven't been paying attention, "flipping" is a teaching technique that involves abandoning the traditional lecture (or just not relying on it so much) and replacing it with interactive approaches that experiment with technology and require students to gather information outside of class and be prepared to engage the material in class, rather than sit passively listening to a faculty member talk."

The Power of Ancestry

It is at least for the second time in my family history that someone thrived in exile. One can draw power from one's ancestry.

Eating Churros con Chocolate in Australia

Stephanus Pighius (or Stefan Van Pigge) was an 16th century intellectual who lived in Xanten in Germany, after he was not allowed to resume his duties in the Netherlands after returning for his second trip to Italy in the early 1600's.

Post Reads

Dear Readers,


Thank you for your continuous and growing support.

Here are my top 5 blog reads for the last month:

No Witch Hunt at UNITECH Feb 28, 2013	467
The UNITECH investigation into the former Council ... Mar 14, 2013	273
Time-line UNITECH: for an informed debate Mar 18, 2013	235
Council Reform and the Financially Sustainable Uni... Mar 11, 2013	195
Bring in the Harry Potters! Mar 22, 2013	195

Open Source Software in Higher Education in Developing Countries

In developing countries, generally the slow speed of internet connections, and slower computers, make the use of Microsoft software utterly dysfunctional. Mac systems are functional but too pricey. Most computers therefore are usually Windows based, and riddled with viruses, due to the difficulties in regularly updating anti-virus software or install the software patches for the operating system. Many computers used hacked versions, which are more sensitive to virus attacks, in order to avoid paying the hefty license fee.

Fortunately, there is an alternative which is free, and more importantly virus free. Most of us are already using it, although we are not always aware of it.

Are edutech startups plugging an innovation gap in our universities? | Higher Education Network | Guardian Professional

Are edutech startups plugging an innovation gap in our universities? | Higher Education Network | Guardian Professional

To be fair, there is some technological innovation occurring around universities, but are they able to implement these technologies in the classroom and other activities?

Has Change Finally come to Universities in Developing Countries?

At the best of times, universities are organizations particularly resistant to change. For over 9 centuries, Universities have been doing more or less the same, since the first one was founded in Bologna Italy in 1088. Currently, most universities offer the best learning experience 17th century technology can offer. This is not a typo. It is still blackboard, chalk and paper in the classrooms. And that is when we are talking about industrialized countries.

We have read it before, but some argue from now on everything will be different  because of today's information technology revolution and globalisation. Will the change be dominated by the forces of continuity, or is there a true revolution at the doorstep?

Redefining Sustainable Development by David Griggs - Project Syndicate

Redefining Sustainable Development by David Griggs - Project Syndicate

We call it the "green economy".

Bring in the Harry Potters!

It is 4.06 pm now, the end of the business day in PNG, and as I announced my patience has officially run out. "Big Men" visit UNITECH campus making promises they do not intend to keep. Do they think our students are so easily fooled?

Feeding Kangaroos

Getting a bit tired here with nothing to do but feeding kangaroos. Heard nothing from PNG officials yet, but hope to be home in Lae for Easter.

UNITECH Boycott Ends, Probe Starts - EM TV

UNITECH Boycott Ends, Probe Starts - EM TV (video in link)

Students at the University of Technology in Lae have ended a two and a half week boycott as the investigation into the affairs of the university begins. The announcement by the Student Representative Council, was made in the presence of the head of the investigation team, former Judge Mark Sevua.

Don Poyle to act as Minister for Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology - Papua New Guinea Today

Don Polye to act as Minister for Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology - Papua New Guinea Today


Prime Minister Peter O’Neil announced yesterday, that Treasurer Don Polye will be acting Minister for Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology. Incumbent and Ijivitari M-P David Arore met with Mr. O'Neil today, asking to be stood down, to concentrate on fighting criminal and graft charges brought against him, by police.

Students end boycott at Lae University of Technology | Pacific Beat | ABC Radio Australia

Students end boycott at Lae University of Technology | Pacific Beat | ABC Radio Australia

Presenter: Firmin Nanol reports:
Speaker: Students' Representative Council President, Livingstone Hosea, PNG's acting Higher Education, Science, Research and Technology Minister, Don Polye

Classes at Papua New Guinea's Lae University of Technology in the Morobe province will resume on Thursday as a student boycott over the sacking of their Vice Chancellor has ended.

Post Reads

Thank you all for your many reads on my blog.

No Witch Hunt at UNITECH Feb 28, 2013	460
What led up to my deportation from PNG Feb 23, 2013	200
Council Reform and the Financially Sustainable Uni... Mar 11, 2013	181
Time-line UNITECH: for an informed debate Mar 18, 2013	170
The UNITECH investigation into the former Council Mar 14, 2013	160

UPNG backs UNITECH Calls - EM TV

UPNG backs UNITECH Calls - EM TV

The University of Papua New Guinea’s student representative council has thrown its support behind students at Lae Unitech calling on the government for transparency and good governance. A team from UPNG is in Lae as a show support.

UPNG’s SRC president Peter Mumu, says poor management in any university will affect students all over Papua New Guinea. It comes as Unitech students continue with a weeklong boycott of class.

Meanwhile, one more person has been arrested in the Unitech Fraud Case. The University of Technology’s planner, Brian Kagini from Enga province was yesterday arrested and charged misappropriation and conspiracy.

Police said Kagini allegedly conspired with terminated lecturer Narayan Gehlot and members of the university administration to defraud the State of more than K600, 000.

He will appear in the Lae committal court at 10 o’clock today.

Scott Waide, National EMTV News - LAE

Polye is acting Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology Minister ← Education News PNG

Polye is acting Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology Minister ← Education News PNG

Inquiry Into Unitech Begins - EMTV (PNG)

Inquiry Into Unitech Begins

The investigation process into the impasse at the PNG University of Technology opened yesterday.  The Investigation Team led by retired judge Mark Sevua will travel to Lae, Morobe Province tomorrow to prepare for the preliminary session that will be held at the Unitech Campus on Wednesday.

Radio New Zealand International: PNG Higher Education Minister stood down over charges

PNG Higher Education Minister stood down over charges

Radio New Zealand International: Investigation into PNG’s Unitech troubles begins

Investigation into PNG’s Unitech troubles begins

They are barking up the wrong tree. The investigation is focused on me. But I am not the problem, rather I am being perceived as part of the solution.

This investigation should be how the former Council failed to oversee the management team. The whole team, including the former Vice-Chancellor have been arrested for alleged involvement in conspiracy to defraud the State.

Ironically, the Minister of Higher Education was also arrested last Saturday 16 March for alleged fraud and bribery in the election campaign period.

I thank all UNITECH student and staff for their continuous trust in me, and our management team to bring good university governance and proper administration of funds to UNITECH.

PNG MP charged with corruption over elections | Pacific Beat | ABC Radio Australia

PNG MP charged with corruption over elections | Pacific Beat | ABC Radio Australia

UPNG SRC PRESIDENT PLEDGES SUPPORT BEHIND UNITECH STUDENTS | PNG Village

UPNG SRC PRESIDENT PLEDGES SUPPORT BEHIND UNITECH STUDENTS | PNG Village

A national student movement seems to be emerging.

Inquiry into Unitech Begins - EM TV

Inquiry into Unitech Begins - EM TV

Upon request here are the objectives of the investigation, not inquiry. Note that 7 objectives of the investigation are about Dr. Albert Schram, who was not even Vice-Chancellor when Council failed to oversee the alleged fraud perpetrated by the previous management team.

After an rigourous internal UNITECH inquiry, and extensive police investigations all members of the previous management team have now been arrested and charged.

Only 1 objective refers to the dissolved Council, but again focusing on the recruitment process. Aren't we barking up the wrong tree here? Is the ploy not a bit too obvious?

"3.1.1. Establish whether proper due diligence process (sic!) was followed in the search, short listing, selection and appointment of the Vice-Chancellor - Dr. Albert Schram." 

"3.1.2. Establish whether the Registrar's Office was involved for background search (sic!) and recommendation." 

“3.1.3. Establish whether proper process was followed in the two instance of termination of the Vice-Chancellor’s contract.”

“3.1.4 Establish the facts behind the Vice-Chancellor’s alleged terminations (sic!) by the council on the 8th of November 2013 (sic!), in particular:

3.1.4.1. Whether the meeting was validly convened; and

3.1.4.2 Whether the termination of the Vice-Chancellor on 8th of November 2012 was lawful and valid?”

“3.1.5. Establish the truth or otherwise of allegations that Dr. Albert Ernst Giovanni SCHRAM fabricated and/or lied about his Academic Qualification and/or identity;”

"3.1.6 Establish whether the conduct and management of the Phillip Stagg Council was consistent with the relevant governing Acts and Council By-Laws and as such whether lawful. In addition, establish whether or not the role and action(s) of members of the Stagg Council had a direct impact on the impasse."

Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology Minister relieved of duties ← Education News PNG

Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology Minister relieved of duties ← Education News PNG

Human Rights, Deportation and Return

European Court of Human Rights, Strasbourg (France)

I am in day 40 now of my first unlawful deportation and still no end in sight.

There is a glimmer of hope though for my return. Yesterday, Judge Sevua, who is chairing the UNITECH investigation team, announced in a press statement, that it would be a travesty of justice if Dr. Schram were not heard, and therefore I should be let into the country. I would like to thank the SRC President, the management team and interim Council who finally successfully negotiated there way through the ban on my re-entry. Since the 4th of February, however, I asked for written guarantees about my return and my safety, which will need to be negotiated in the coming days.

I need to point out here that my deportation was unlawful, arbitrary and constitutes a systematic violation of my human right of freedom of movement under article 13 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Time-line UNITECH: for an informed debate

 Upon request by many, here are the main dates in the process of Council reform at UNITECH, which led to the dissolution of Council on 20 November 2012, the arrest of the whole previous management team for allegedly conspiring to defraud the state in February and March 2013, and the arrest of the Minister of Higher Education David Arore on 16 March for alleged bribery.

8 June 2011: As one of the candidates, Dr. Albert Schram gives a speech for the UNITECH community on transformational leadership, promising a professional, transparent and strategized university management. He received an contract offer a few weeks later, initially to take up duty on 1st of October.

7 February 2012: After postponing his arrival twice since October 2011, Dr. Albert Schram takes over as Vice-Chancellor of the Papua New Guinea University of Technology. In January, Standing Committee of Council agrees to transfer two executive vehicles to former Vice-Chancellor at favourable prices and payment conditions, and retain the services of Misty Baloiloi for 3 more months, without specifying his activities. Other vehicles are similarly transferred to former executives.

Investigation team into Unitech standoff announced ← Education News PNG

Investigation team into Unitech standoff announced ← Education News PNG

This team seems to be barking up the wrong tree. Where is the investigation into the fraud that the SRC and staff organizations have been demanding since April last year?

If I were not allowed into the country, a travesty of justice indeed, but what about the written guarantees for my safety I  requested since 4 February?

Papua New Guinea Blogs: Good Versus Evil Battle At UNITECH: Will It Reveal Peter O’Neill’s Helplessness At Fighting Corruption?

Papua New Guinea Blogs: Good Versus Evil Battle At UNITECH: Will It Reveal Peter O’Neill’s Helplessness At Fighting Corruption?

Breaking News: Minister Higher Education David Arore Arrested

"Higher Education Minister David Arore has been arrested and charged with official corruption, embezzlement and fraud. The arrest was the culmination of an eight month investigation. The Minister was charged at Popondetta Police Station. (EM TV News)."

This will not affect the graduation in April in any way. What will the consequences be for UNITECH, and the inquiry which is supposed to start coming week? See the comments on Sharp Talk here or here. 

SRC Reactions on Government's Negative

Here is the SRC statement.

“After the Government through the Chief of Staff responded to our petition No.2 unfavourably, The following resolutions were agreed and motioned by
the SRC EXECUTIVES & PROVINCIAL STUDENT ASSOCIATION PRESIDENTS in a CLOSED DOOR MEETING today (13th March, 2013 @11am – 2.15pm)
1) The petition of the students of Unitech is Non-negotiable.
2) The peaceful boycott of classes will continue until Friday 15 March, 2013.
3) As of tomorrow, all operations of Unitech – both academic and administrative – will be shut down and come to a complete close, as per the directions of the Acting Vice Chancellor.

Unitech SAGA: Former VC arrested and charged (EMTV)

Unitech SAGA: Former VC arrested and charged

 

The former Unitech Vice Chancellor, Misty Baloiloi, has been arrested and charged with conspiracy to defraud the state and misappropriation but was released on bail.