University interim chancellor resigns
UNIVERSITY of PNG Chancellor Jeffrey Kennedy has resigned, citing the Government’s lack of confidence in his ability to hold the position as the reason.
I accepted the appointment (on Jan 21, 2019 by Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology Minister Pila Niningi) out of goodwill and I was keen on giving back to the university that has educated me to be who I am today.
But in light of recent intervention by Chief Secretary Isaac Lupari and Prime Minister Peter O’Neill, I am compelled to resign in order to maintain my integrity.
Jeffrey Kennedy
O’Neill and Lupari intervened when members of the National Academic Staff Association (NASA) protested and university staff boycotted classes from Monday to Wednesday over what they claimed was the political interference by Niningi in sacking the university council in January, and appointing an interim one.
Kennedy delivered his letter of resignation to Niningi on Monday.
He told The National yesterday that he had no choice but to accept that the Government of the day lacked confidence in his ability to hold the position of Chancellor.
He said before accepting the position in January to head the interim council, he went through the DHESRT Act 2014 and found that Niningi had “legal rights to appoint a new chancellor and a council”.
So I accepted.
When there were complaints of school fee increases we stopped that. We told the department that since we’ve stopped the added fees, we’re going to have shortfalls in the university’s budget. They said do up a submission and send.
The same thing was done for the dormitories. We even met with representatives from NASA and the student body and they said they were happy with the changes.
Kennedy said on Friday March 1, the council set up a team to investigate why the previous council did not comply with 2014 Independent Quality Audit Report recommendations.
We also set up a council to look into the sexual favours allegations and the misappropriation of funds, even the allegations leveled against former members of the council. And on Monday, March 4, NASA members were on strike, staff of the university boycotted classes. Frankly I was not surprised.
Kennedy said the interim council he headed found many things “not right in the university”.
There were lecturers, senior staff who had houses in their name, some even two houses under their names through the UPNG Housing Scheme but were still living in university’s houses. So younger staff (members) were been robbed of their chances to have homes.
Kennedy said he understood that O’Neill had to step in to ensure that the students could have normal classes.
- 5 Years of Torture - June 26, 2020
- University interim chancellor resigns - March 13, 2019
- School inspectors’ duty to report abuse - February 27, 2019
