Unitech vice-chancellor in dark about deportation
23 February 2013
KEITH JACKSON
IN AN EXTRAORDINARY incident, PNG University of Technology vice-chancellor, Dr Albert Schram, was detained and forcefully loaded aboard Air Niugini flight PX5 to Brisbane soon after arriving at Jackson’s Airport from Singapore earlier this month.
Last year, Dr Schram had been suspended from his Unitech post, an act he says was unlawful.
“Contrary to what some have said, I have never been legally dismissed as vice-chancellor. So why was I deported? No answer“, Schram wrote on his Twitter account.
In January, prime minister Peter O’Neill said that both the university’s council under chancellor Philip Stagg and Schram and had been suspended by Cabinet for two months pending an investigation into Unitech’s administration.
Last year some of Schram’s opponents at the university had raised questions over his credentials.
“I've asked my embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Canberra to ask for a reason, because I am still in the dark," said Dr Schram, a Dutch national.
The PNG government denied that Dr Schram had been deported, preferring the explanation that he simply hadn’t been allowed into the country.
The students and National Staff Academic Association at Unitech want Dr Schram to continue to head the university, and yet he was deported.
So who's interest is the prime minister serving?
Posted by: Steve Gallagher | 22 March 2013 at 09:32 AM
See the follow up story. My first and second deportation on 8 Feb and 9 Mar were indeed unlawful. My work visa is still in my passport, and my employment contract is valid and has just been reconfirmed by the Interim Council. Since it is a systematic denial of my human right of free movement, this is a major violation by PNG.
Posted by: Albert Schram | 22 March 2013 at 09:05 AM
Thank you for your interest in my case. We are discovering now irregularities have taken place when cancelling my work permit. We hope all the issues can be solved so that I can return and be allowed to do my job effectively and safely.
Posted by: Albert Schram | 23 February 2013 at 12:47 PM
I think the deportation of Dr Schram was unlawful.
The university will start its school year very soon and it's only proper if Schram is allowed to head the university while the investigation continues.
The student body and the National Staff Academic Association (NASA) at the university are calling for the government to allow Dr Schram to continue to head the university.
Posted by: Joe Wasia | 23 February 2013 at 05:55 AM