Comments

Thank you for publishing this. The UPNG programme worked wonders, but there is only so much you can achieve from the outside with young, enthusiastic lecturers. In my view, all universities must produce employable, work ready graduates, which is not the same as job ready. In order to turn around PNG universities, the guidelines of the Namaliu/Garnaut 2009 report, the independent review of the PNG universities is still valuable: improve governance by reducing council, and focus on academic quality before increasing enrolment again. At V-C at UNITECH we developed a strategy focusing on internationalization and professional accreditation of programs, converting IT capabilities into strengths, and partnerships with strong industrial and academic partners. Efficiency was another key goal, but that is per definition not a strategic goal. Corruption, admission and academic corruption has to be stopped, existing faculty must be offered opportunities to do a PhD (between 2014-17 we sent 27 abroad) and the university's reputation must be enhanced so that fully qualified lecturers with work experience at world-class universities can be attracted. Digitalization, professional accreditation and training to stimulate student-centred and competence based teaching must be vigourously undertaken. At UNITECH from 2014 to 2017 we did an annual graduate employment survey 5-6 months after graduation. We found only 40% had formal employment. Development studies and management graduates did relatively well, much better than economics graduates. We also had monthly breakfasts with industrial training coordinators and employers of our graduates.

A very important question Sarah. Recently I went on the look out for Women economist's across the Pacific and asked male economists I knew across a number of agencies. Interestingly, a number were named who we just never hear of, working in development banks, financial Institutions, governments, etc. across the Pacific. For instance Maiava Atalina Emma Ainuu-Enari was appointed Governor and Chairperson of the Board of the Central Bank of Samoa (CBS) in 2011 and remains so...these women economist's seem to work quietly in the background, not taking up that space to articulate on public policy, financial issues through the media, etc as men do. Be great to hear more from and of them, so greater number of women get that due representation but other younger one's get encouraged to take up that space. But yes that sex-disaggregated data would certainly give us a clearer idea in PNG and beyond. The newly launched SPC data Hub maybe a start.

Yes, it is the same in PNG - in the report linked at the end of the first paragraph I mention that the number of female economics graduates is typically just 10-25% of the total cohort. That said, the response rate of women to the survey was higher, and the employment rate for respondents is likely much higher for respondents than non-respondents - which suggests better employment rates. If you want any further information please feel free to send me an email rohan.fox@anu.edu.au

The study doesn't provide any sex-disaggregated data - can it be made available? Women tend to be under-represented in economics. Research conducted by the European Central Bank confirmed quite different career trajectories for male and female economists resulting in a lack of diversity in leadership and decision-making positions in central banks and other institutions. It would be interesting to know if this trend is the same in PNG.

Thanks Mike, bad precedent set by parliament, running to court seeking interpretation.

The reasons behind high internet prices in PNG are multiple but you can choose from wide range of options that suits your mobile broadband needs.

Thank you for the enlightment.

Michael, this is a great piece. I did manage to pick out an institutional and procedural sway regarding your piece. This is interesting since it goes to the heart of defining and explaining PNG politics with regard to the issue discussed. Great job.

I also have questioned them esp for paying taxes ranking as well. for example, 1a. First of all, the website is reporting accurate data for Singapore (per cent of profit tax only 2% (according to the report) compare with their statutory tax rate 17%), so we ask them please share with us the factors which are depressing the profit tax % for Singapore, making it extremely competitive regionally. 1b. We also would appreciate it if the World Bank could share with us the mechanics by which countries are able to lower their % of profit tax. We are aware that multiple factors are at play but if you are able to go into specifics for each country, in particular, that would be very grateful. 1c. Case assumption to use to evaluate each country is not suitable (and may be favourable to some). If it is about capital gain exemption from selling property. Should the sale of land be added to the scenario in order to evaluate and compare the % of profit tax? Since not every company sells parcels of land every year (it is a one-time special event), should it be included as a normal operation to measure the CIT tax rate? (Assumption: at the beginning of 2015, the company owns two plots of land but sells one of these plots at a profit at the beginning of the following year). 1d. For some countries, the Doing Business report about total tax time for some countries, reports no change in the period between 2008 and 2017 (10 years), even though e-filing and e-payments are helping taxpayers to submit their returns online and to pay the tax owed more quickly. Thus, I agree that the report and the mechanisms used should be reviewed again esp by third parties.

Really appreciate the post as it clarifies doubts clouding around the happening with parliament sittings and the judiciary

I totally agree Mike, well said and explained. I really think the courts court's interpretation SHOULD run parallel with much COMMON SENSE on such legal interpretations. Its appears so real and evident that those judges will always side and support the CORRUPT leaders as always been each case since.

Thank you for the historical information and the VONC process, Very educational. 😍👑🙏🙏