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University of Papua New Guinea - what needs to be done?

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UPNG Forum Credit:PMC Scott MacWilliam In Part 1 of this analysis yesterday, the current parlous condition of the University of Papua New Guinea was outlined, with “debits” and “credits” briefly considered. In Part 2, some suggestions appear for the immediate action which is needed. Necessarily, these are only indicated briefly: What is to be Done? requires more detailed consideration than can be provided here, as well as the evidence upon which these conclusions are based. Nevertheless the direction of changes proposed should be obvious. Recognising that what is currently being provided to many young Papua New Guineans who attend UPNG is not at a satisfactory level is a major first step. While attention is correctly also directed at primary and secondary school standards, the same emphasis should be put on rectifying the inadequate level of tertiary education. It is patronising and in other ways offensive to suggest to current and many recent graduates that the degrees

University of Papua New Guinea - what needs to be done?

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UPNG Forum Credit:PMC Scott MacWilliam In Part 1 of this analysis yesterday, the current parlous condition of the University of Papua New Guinea was outlined, with “debits” and “credits” briefly considered. In Part 2, some suggestions appear for the immediate action which is needed. Necessarily, these are only indicated briefly: What is to be Done? requires more detailed consideration than can be provided here, as well as the evidence upon which these conclusions are based. Nevertheless the direction of changes proposed should be obvious. Recognising that what is currently being provided to many young Papua New Guineans who attend UPNG is not at a satisfactory level is a major first step. While attention is correctly also directed at primary and secondary school standards, the same emphasis should be put on rectifying the inadequate level of tertiary education. It is patronising and in other ways offensive to suggest to current and many recent graduates that the de

Pacific destabilised by China, Wikileaks cables show

ANDREA VANCE - Stuff  New Zealand defence officials warned the US the Chinese army was fuelling political instability in the Pacific, diplomatic cables show. Defence ministry staff told visiting East Asia Pacific/Asia North Pacific (EAP/ANP) director Howard Krawitz that Chinese military activities in the Pacific posed "real security problems'' for New Zealand. A cable from 2008 notes that New Zealand was concerned for the future of the Pacific islands, ''which are increasingly turning away from Australia and New Zealand to seek ties with Taiwan, China, Cuba and others''. A US briefing from February 2006, says New Zealand officials were concerned that competition between Taiwan and China for resources and diplomatic leaks "contributes to political instability in Pacific Island nations". In a cable from September 2006, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) Americas and Pacific Island director Heather Riddell was reported as saying the

Pacific destabilised by China, Wikileaks cables show

ANDREA VANCE - Stuff  New Zealand defence officials warned the US the Chinese army was fuelling political instability in the Pacific, diplomatic cables show. Defence ministry staff told visiting East Asia Pacific/Asia North Pacific (EAP/ANP) director Howard Krawitz that Chinese military activities in the Pacific posed "real security problems'' for New Zealand. A cable from 2008 notes that New Zealand was concerned for the future of the Pacific islands, ''which are increasingly turning away from Australia and New Zealand to seek ties with Taiwan, China, Cuba and others''. A US briefing from February 2006, says New Zealand officials were concerned that competition between Taiwan and China for resources and diplomatic leaks "contributes to political instability in Pacific Island nations". In a cable from September 2006, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) Americas and Pacific Island director Heather Riddell was reported as saying

Two visions, outcome uncertain for University of Papua New Guinea

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Scott MacWilliam The crest of the University of Papua New Guinea ... gateway to a flawed vision. Photo: UPNG During the early 1960s, when the initial conception and planning occurred for the establishment of the University of Papua New Guinea, two visions were especially prominent. The first, associated with Territories Minister Paul Hasluck, Administrator Donald Cleland and other liberal developers, including Sir George Currie, Dr John Gunther and Professor OHK Spate, saw the development of a national university as central to the needs of an emerging nation-state. While there were some differences among top government officials, particularly about whether the institution should be affiliated with an Australian university or autonomous, these men had no doubt about the purposes, goals of and requirements for a university. Two of them Cleland and Gunther were wise enough to walk around, scrutinise and select what would become a major part of UPNG’s valuable inheritance, 1000 acres of la

Two visions, outcome uncertain for University of Papua New Guinea

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Scott MacWilliam The crest of the University of Papua New Guinea ... gateway to a flawed vision. Photo: UPNG During the early 1960s, when the initial conception and planning occurred for the establishment of the University of Papua New Guinea, two visions were especially prominent. The first, associated with Territories Minister Paul Hasluck, Administrator Donald Cleland and other liberal developers, including Sir George Currie, Dr John Gunther and Professor OHK Spate, saw the development of a national university as central to the needs of an emerging nation-state. While there were some differences among top government officials, particularly about whether the institution should be affiliated with an Australian university or autonomous, these men had no doubt about the purposes, goals of and requirements for a university. Two of them Cleland and Gunther were wise enough to walk around, scrutinise and select what would become a major part of UPNG’s valuable inheritance, 1000 acre

Daewoo Shipbuilding Unit Joins $3B Papua New Guinea LNG Project-Source

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SEOUL (Dow Jones)--South Korea's Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co.'s (042660.SE) will build an LNG floating, processing, storage and offloading facility for $2.1 billion in a Papua New Guinean project worth about $3 billion, joined by its energy-exploring subsidiary and two companies, a person with direct knowledge of the matter said early Monday. "Papua New Guinea, as an island nation with future offshore potentials, is introducing the LNG-FPSO technology for the first time to develop and commercialize gas reserves in the country," the person told Dow Jones Newswires by telephone. Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Energy & Resource, or DSME E&R, will operate the LNG FPSO together with Papua New Guinea's state-run oil, gas and minerals company Petromin PNG Holdings and Norway's Hoegh LNG after its parent Daewoo Shipbuilding builds the floating LNG-production facility, he said. "The offshore plant will have a p