21 Oct 2002

Lack of funds threatens graduation for PNG university students

5:12 pm on 21 October 2002

Reports from Papua New Guinea say more than half of the country's university students may be prevented from graduating this year because of funding problems.

The Post Courier newspaper says the Office for Higher Education has failed to pay fees which means that the university will not graduate all students and will not allow others to enrol next year.

The problem affects all five universities, with some saying the funding shortfall may prevent some students from being able to fly home.

The University of PNG in Port Moresby and the University of Gooroka have both deficits, with one pro-chancellor saying the problemis one of the government's making.