UPNG interim chancellor resigns - report

6:57 pm on 14 March 2019

The interim chancellor of the University of Papua New Guinea has reportedly resigned.

Outside the University of PNG

Outside the University of PNG Photo: facebook

Jeffrey Kennedy was appointed to the position in January when the minister for higher education suspended the university council and replaced it with an interim body.

The minister cited allegations of corruption and sexual misconduct among reasons for the move.

The newspaper the National reported Mr Kennedy resigned on Monday, saying the government had a lack of confidence in his leadership.

However, the minister, Pila Niningi, described the resignation as disappointing.

Mr Kennedy could not be reached for comment.

University staff boycotted work last week to show their disapproval at the composition of the interim council, which they argue contains too many people with a business background.

At the time, Mr Kennedy said he was only receiving an allowance of about $US55 per council sitting and that he was donating it back to the school.

He took the job after being approached by the minister, "to give back to the university which I am a product of", he said.

The pro-chancellor Jerry Wemin will now become the chancellor and a new pro-chancellor will be voted on when council meets, the minister said.

University staff said they had been given an assurance by the minister that a new council would be appointed.

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