The Minister’s
p. 28 · Read in the full issue
Announcement
The Australian Minister for Territories, Mr. C. E. Barnes, announced on March 19 that a university would be established in Port Moresby. Capital and operating costs to the end of 1969 were estimated at more than £6 million, and it seemed probable that the first students would enrol in 1966 in a pre liminary year, preparatory to taking Education or Arts degrees and that a Civil Engineering course at the associated technical institute would commence in 1967.
Other courses would follow rapidly, and it was estimated that by 1970 enrolments would reach 575 in the university and 150 in the technical institute.
By 1976 there would be more than 200 graduates from the university each year.
Mr. Barnes added that interim councils would be appointed for the university and the technical institute, and establishment details would rest with these.
Professor O. H. K. Spate, of Canberra, who wrote the ac companying article, was one of the members of the Currie Commission which recommended establishment of a university.
The article is an elaboration, for PIM, of a commentary broad cast nationally over the ABC by Professor Spate on March 22, and used here by permission.