PNG's UNITECH could partially reopen

11:10 am on 7 July 2016

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Technology in Papua New Guinea says his institution could partially reopen to students in August.

The remains of a building at the University of Technology in Lae, PNG, after it was burned to the ground in violent clashes.

The remains of a building at the University of Technology in Lae, PNG, after it was burned to the ground in violent clashes. Photo: Supplied / Albert Schram

UNITECH closed following the two month student boycott and the death of Graham Romanong from suspected in-fighting among students.

Vice-Chancellor, Albert Schram, said not all UNITECH students would be able to resume their studies next month.

"So some people will miss out and we're sorry for that, but we have to face the reality that the dorms were destructed in part. There are still risks as to the security of the students and the staff. So we must manage that carefully and then decide which groups can be readmitted under which conditions."

Albert Schram said the partial reopening was dependent on the reconstruction of the mess hall which was destroyed by fire the night Mr Romanong was killed.

The remains of a building after it was set alight during violent clashes at the University of Technology in Lae, Papua New Guinea.

The remains of a building after it was set alight during violent clashes at the University of Technology in Lae, Papua New Guinea. Photo: Supplied / Albert Schram

Meanwhile, a student leader from the University of Papua New Guinea has no regrets about the protest that led to the cancellation of the academic year.

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