In PNG Attitude in 2011 and in June this year, academic DR SCOTT MacWILLIAM, wrote that it was unclear “whether increased attention from the relevant PNG institutions and international aid donors is too late to rescue the country’s first university, UPNG” which, he said, in some respects “was in a near-terminal condition”. The story continues….
SINCE WRITING THE ARTICLES on UPNG in 2011 and earlier in 2012, there has been a further development regarding the selection process for a Vice-Chancellor at the University of Papua New Guinea.
The worst possible outcome is coming to pass.
The advertising for the position was appalling, limited and guaranteed not to attract high quality candidates with international university management experience.
A final stage has now been reached and there are two candidates still in the race.
Both of them have been at UPNG for years, have been complicit in the recent rapid decline and are now possible Vice-Chancellors.
Neither of the candidates has the necessary experience to rescue and revive what should be Papua New Guinea’s premier university.
Neither has either the academic standing nor the management experience to convince international donors that they should put major funds into the rebuilding of the university.
This is a tragedy for the future of the university and PNG.
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