Run universities as Businesses : PNG Minister Maru

Papua New Guinea Minister for National Planning and Monitoring, Richard Maru, says the government is keen to see universities being run as business entities as part of global modern reforms.

The Yangoru-Sausia MP and alumni member of the University of Technology, was the guest speaker yesterday at the institution’s 50th graduation ceremony.

With most state run universities facing financial constraints, Minister Maru says universities play a major role in nation building but are expensive to maintain by the government which also has many other priorities and limited funding.

But he said the government is still committed to higher learning institutions and is seriously rethinking how they are funded and operated to deliver world class programs.

He said “universities the world over are now big businesses and do not depend entirely on governments but are run as businesses funding models supplemented by numerous funding streams like major real estate businesses.

Minister Maru said many build university cities like what Unitech has already planned and many are funded by their vast alumni network and research grants using their vast intellectual properties.

NBC News - Gabriel Lahoc