Press Statement to be delivered 9 March 2013 upon arrival at NADZAB airport Lae

(The statement which I never gave, because I was deported again on 9 March.

This time the excuse for my deportation was that I need to apply for a new visa and work permit. Last year, migration made an error and classified me as religious worker. We joked in the management team, this was because I was supposed to perform miracles: no extra funding and a lot more students for UNITECH.

For over 1 year, I used this visa to travel in and out of the country, and it was never a problem so far. Yesterday, I was not told what wrong with the current visa, I was just told to apply for a new one. As always, I was given nothing in writing.

My visa clearly states: work permit for University of Technology and is valid for 3 years with multiple-entries. Why should I apply for a new visa? It opens an opportunity to decline it for some other reason.

I guess this is a case of not trying  to apply logic to this. I hope to come back to PNG soon, maybe they offer me citizenship now for trying so hard? AS)

Press Statement Upon Arrival in NADZAB Airport, Lae 9 March 2013.

After 1 month of involuntary exile, I come back as Vice-Chancellor of UNITECH to bring peace and stability at the top, and serve the students, their parents, and all the stakeholders. Our management team will continue with what I started April last year.

I thank God for his special protection he has given me and my wife during this ordeal. I am very grateful that my wife Paulina has been here all the time to support me.

It is joyful to see the students and all my friends again, those smart, wise and cheerful Papua New Guineans friends and colleagues.

A little more than 1 year ago, I came to take over the Vice-Chancellor position carrying only 2 suitcases and 1 pair of shoes, and I come today again with my 2 suitcases.

Peace and academic collaboration

Here with my new friend Dr. Lay Chanthy from the Royal University of Phnom
Pen (Cambodia), who is at the Cairns Institute to learn about how to set up a research
support office for his University. We learned a lot from each other experiences.

We are all part of diverse organizations, with a universal mission and have much to learn from each other.

After all, being an academic executive should not be about politics,  power, or low stakes infighting. It is about friendships and partnerships, and helping the universities in our countries grow further, contributing to national development and educating our students.

Schram isn’t VC: O’Neill - EM TV

Schram isn’t VC: O’Neill - EM TV

This is most confusing. The PM has obviously not been informed correctly.

Fortunately, the University Council is my legal employer, and universities established by Act of Parliament have autonomy in PNG.

Imaginary realities are continuously being created by the media and statements from members of the government, with scant regard for the legal situation and the truth.

I will say it again, I was never legally dismissed (where is the court order?) and my visa was never legally cancelled. In fact, I will be entering the country on it soon to take up my responsibilities.

To reassure the parents: UNITECH has a Chancellor, a Vice-Chancellor and a Registrar who will sign the degrees of the graduands.

The question is in the long-term how can we keep running a university like this? Let's get the politics out of the university administration, it does not look pretty. Posturing in the media like this does not contribute anything to creating stability at the top and the governability of the University.

Another personal insult added to the injury of illegal deportation. Well, at least I am still responsible for the tree cangaroos in the Rainforest Habitat. I can finally give them my undivided attention until the end of my suspension on the 14th of March.

To be continued....

No proof for Schram’s termination: UNITECH SRC - EM TV

No proof for Schram’s termination: UNITECH SRC - EM TV.

Here is the certified copy of my doctorate, nothing wrong with it. If I had been dismissed there would be a court order. Our appeal is still running in the Supreme Court, and pending their decision my employment status remains unaltered.

The Cairns Institute

Thank you colleagues of the Cairns Institute for your great hospitality.

James Cook University's Cairns Institute "contributing to a brighter, more equitable and enriching future for people in the tropics, world wide". 

Truly a noble mission, I hope I will get the chance to contribute to it at UNITECH.

The Long-Term View

Today, presidential elections are being held in Kenya. The question on all commentators' mind is whether they will be more peaceful than the ones in 2010. Nobody knows the answer, we will have to see today.

A short excursion into the recent past is required to answer the more fundamental question whether Kenya is moving in the right direction. Is Kenya developing towards democratic and fair society, where individuals' rights are protected and an effort is made to offer everyone an equal opportunity to realise their aspirations?

Today, we should remember the 24 years (from 1978 to 2002), during which Arap Moi ruled Kenya with an iron fist, a period during which many of today's Kenyans were born or grew up. Moi legitimized his rule by the "nyayo" (footsteps) ideology, which suggested he would follow in the footsteps of the founding president Yomo Kenyatta, whose Vice-President he was for 11 years years (from 1967 to 1978). Here is a short moving documentary about this period.

Moi's main concern however was not legitimacy or ideology, rather his only goal was to remain in power at whatever cost. Moi liked to present himself as a good Christian, almost a holy man, while everybody knew what was going on behind the smoke screens. One of the most painful things of living in a dictatorship is not always the direct limitations and hardships, but to be treated as a fool

Radio New Zealand: despite deportation UNITECH Vice-Chancellor still determined to go back

An academic, who remains the vice chancellor of Papua New Guinea's University of Technology despite being deported from the country, is determined to return..

But Dr Albert Schram says he would only go back to Lae if he gets assurances that he can do his job without interference.

He has had a year long battle with the university council, which while replaced by the government, still effected his deportation by making what Dr Schram says were false statements to immigration officials.

Dr Schram told Don Wiseman says he wants to go back because he wants to complete a job and not let his supporters down.

That is Dr Albert Schram speaking from Australia where he is waiting for a chance to return to Lae in PNG.

(Interview Duration 2 min 30 seconds)