Comments

Interesting Richard. Thanks for bringing to surface the challenges by the labour sending states in the Pacific. We are still optimistic given the Australian PM's recent visit to the Pacific and the commitment by our leaders towards the "vuvale" concept to be signed later in the year.

Thanks for this informative post Richard. It is a puzzle that the APTC, which in my view is a great concept, has not had the success envisioned by its architects in facilitating mobility of skilled workers between the islands on the one hand and Australia and New Zealand on the other. The contrast with the SWP is stark. While data is sparse, there is little evidence to suggest that the APTC facilitated much movement between the islands either. USP, in contrast, has facilitated movement of professional staff between the islands (Fiji particularly) and ANZ, and across the island region. This is something I am digging into now.

Spot on Daniel.The sad realities of Solomon politics

Prioritisation of needs props up (in this essay) as one of the major factors that inhibit the political stance on the environmental disaster unfolding in a state across our beloved ocean. Solomon Is needs to start discussing environmental safeguards as much as economic growth enablers (int'l corporations entry permits), concessional loans for nation building, corruption, VAW etc...and building this narrative requires stakeholders with much visibility (donors/intl NGOs/multinational corps) to empower and support citizens

Thanks Soph for your kind words. I came across this clip after I wrote the piece which is far better at painting a picture than I am: https://vimeo.com/260186730

Really good, critical and balanced piece! Well done, Daniel

Thanks Dan. Really enjoyed reading this. Of all the recent media articles, your article positioned it in a broader context. Thanks.

Hi Dek my institution is having similar issues. I have a young Loans Officer who will hopefully get to Sydney this month for some training (potentially his first time abroad) however it has taken an inordinate amount of time to get an NID card but now there is no-one available to sign the birth certificate. I am afraid he will miss a great opportunity.

Well this story has some way to run. Today's news (https://postcourier.com.pg/pm-sidelines-upng-interim-council-members-positions-now-open-dialogue/) is that PM O'Neill has dismissed the Interim Pro-Chancellor, Acting Vice-Chancellor, and all members of the Interim Council except for the Interim Chancellor, who must now be feeling rather lonely.

Interesting piece!

If the termination process is a due one then it's ok. However, if it was done for a purpose of lucrative Gains then the protocol has to be vetted vigorously so that things are done in accordance to the Constitutional dictum as prescribed by and that must be consulted in parallel to the established by-laws.Importantly the students are the priority hence their learning must remain the priority.Students cannot be neglected this far without genuine reason.

Apart from the Uni collaboration "twinning projects" for AU$30+ million, over AU$100 was invested in new buildings on the UPNG campus, without the University being ready for it. All eggs were put in one basket. The political and financial risks were evident from the start. By contrast the PNG University of Technology received next to nothing, although it was making great strides improving its academic quality (e.g. independent aptitude test for selection, internal quality audits, provision of campus wide broadband internet through O3B satellite system). In addition, the PNG University of Technology in 2017 became the first university to obtain an unqualified, clean financial audit from the Auditor General, one of the only a handful of PNG institutions to have achieved this.