Counselling services will be offered to returning students, says PNG University of Technology Vice-Chancellor Albert Schram.
The resumption of classes at Unitech will be on August 29.
Schram was commenting on a Loop PNG story about the need for students in the three state-run universities to undergo counselling. This is to help them recover from the mental stress experienced after the incidents that happened during their boycott of classes.
“Same at UNITECH, counselling services have been provided for students and staff. For students, we have been providing counselling on a continuous basis. Since 25 June however, the students have left our campus,” Schram stated.
“For their return, we have now increased the capacity of services by asking assistance from counsellors in town.
“Our staff relations officer provides counselling for all staff. So far, no increase in requests for counselling has been noted."
Dr Ludwig Nanawar, the Director of Medical Services for Psychiatric Hospital, told Loop PNG that the University of Papua New Guinea, PNG University of Technology and University of Goroka must provide counselling to students and also staff to help them recover.
This follows peaceful boycotting of classes at these three State-run universities for Prime Minister Peter O’Neill to step down, which turned violent among students and local police.
UOG had already recommenced classes, and UPNG and Unitech will resume in the coming weeks.
“There is a good chance that some will suffer varying degrees of psychological effects from incidents that occurred at the three main state universities.
“Those who are most likely to be affected are those who are physically injured and those who were physically and verbally intimidated by other students,” Dr Nanawar said.
“Common conditions that may affect vulnerable students are post-traumatic stress disorder, phobias, generalised, anxiety disorder, panic attacks and depression.
“I have no doubt some will need psychiatric treatment.”
The University of Goroka provided counselling to its students before the resumption of classes and will be ongoing.
At the University of Papua New Guinea, the administration said counselling will be provided when students return to campus.
Caption: File picture of Unitech in Lae, Morobe Province.