15 Jun 2006

Staff trouble continues at PNG's University of Goroka

7:10 pm on 15 June 2006

Papua New Guinea's Higher Education minister, Don Polye, has instructed police to arrest a councillor at the University of Goroka, Dr Arnold Kukari, who is claiming to be the vice-chancellor.

Dr Kukari says he's been appointed by the legal university council but the minister says Dr David Rawlence remains the vice-chancellor.

The Post Courier reports that non-academic staff at the university have walked off their jobs demanding authorities sort out the problems or appoint Dr Kukari as acting vice-chancellor.

Dr Rawlence says Dr Kukari is no longer an employee of the university and his actions, and those of other council members who supported him, are illegal and unwarranted.

Dr Kukari and other council members have been granted leave by a court to seek a judicial review of their termination and substitution by an interim body.

The minister has instructed the chancellor to convene an urgent council meeting tomorrow to address the situation.