When Bias and Ignorance Derail Progress: The UNITECH Council's Rejection of a Campus Solar Project

As Papua New Guinea begins to seriously consider renewable energy options, it's important to reflect on a missed opportunity that occurred nearly 7 years ago at the country's premier university. In October 2017, the PNG University of Technology (UNITECH) governing council had the chance to partner with Cambridge Energy Partners and establish a small-scale solar project on the university campus. Unfortunately, due to the biases and lack of understanding displayed by key council members, this potentially transformative initiative was unceremoniously rejected.

The meeting was chaired by Chancellor Kekedo, who, as I observed, never read or wrote any Council document, and displayed her trademark bias. Spearheading the motion to dismiss the solar project was the current Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Ora Renagi. I made a strong case for going ahead, based on a feasibility study and Nasa data.

Letter of intent signed

This decision flies in the face of the critical role universities should play in piloting innovative sustainability projects that can then be scaled up and adopted by local organizations and businesses. UNITECH had a chance to showcase its commitment to renewable energy and set an example for the rest of the country, but short-sightedness and political maneuvering won out.

As PNG grapples with its energy challenges and the urgent need to transition to cleaner sources, this incident serves as a poignant reminder of the damage that can be wrought when biased, uninformed leadership derails progress. Universities should be at the forefront of driving sustainable solutions, not holding them back due to personal agendas and a lack of vision. Going forward, PNG must empower its academic institutions to boldly embrace the renewable energy future, lest it continue to miss out on transformative opportunities like the one that was squandered at UNITECH.

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