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Byline: Muhammad Abdul Mannan (1) Keywords: academic integration; attrition; college departure; dropout; integration assessment; retention; social integration Abstract: This study assesses the current and ideal levelsof academic and social integration within the University of PapuaNew Guinea as perceived by the students. In order to reducestudent attrition through developing an appropriate attritionpolicy and improving services, a comprehensive picture of thecurrent and ideal academic and social integration climate in theUniversity of Papua New Guinea was necessary. Previousattrition/retention research has not adequately described thevarying degrees of group differences in students' integrationprocess. Using the Tinto model and research instruments thatoperationalised the model, an institutional academic and socialintegration assessment instrument was developed for measuring theperceived current and ideal integration climate. Respondent'sperceived ideal ratings for 24 items representing five dimensionsof academic and social integration were higher than for thecurrent ratings. Significant differences were found between thecurrent and ideal perceptions of student groups in respect of a)students' informal contact with faculty b) faculty concern forstudents' development and teaching and c) extra curricularactivities. Differences were found between the perceived ratingsof student groups on the basis of year of studies. Implicationsfor policy directives and discriminatory service delivery arealso discussed. Author Affiliation: (1) University of Papua New Guinea, Papua New Guinea Article History: Registration Date: 22/10/2004

Villagers in Papua New Guinea (PNG) have used coral reefs for thousands of years. Recent human development in PNG has altered the use of coral reefs. Today more reefs are fished commercially, used by tourist divers, and impacted by coastal logging and mining companies. While the state of the reefs may be known locally, there has been no general assessment of the human effects on the coral reefs. Using Reef Check protocol developed by Dr. G. Hodson, students at the University of Papua New Guinea have been conducting surveys on coral reefs. To do this the students needed to be taught: 1) the use of a mask and snorket, 2) scuba diving skills, and 3) marine survey skills. Twenty-five students have received PADI open water certification. Advanced student divers conducted surveys of over 20 reefs. The results indicate that while human impact is obvious on some reefs, most of the reefs surveyed are in excellent shape with a high percentange live coral cover. PNG reefs are among the least disturbed reefs in the global Reef Check survey. Few crown of thorns starfish were observed. There is need to develop a well-funded coral reef monitoring program using national biologists in association with a community based marine awareness effort. Presently, many non government conservation organizations (NGOs) are engaged in colonial conservation activities. Their adgenda is directed by a foreign membership that fund marine biodiversity surveys using foreign experts. These activities contribute little to the development of local skills and technology transfer. The discovery of new animals by foreign scientists effectively removes the possibility of future discovery by national scientists. Relationships between colonial NGOs and national tertiary education institutions need to be improved.

The University of Papua New Guinea does not get enough government aid despite Vice-Chancellor Joseph Sukwianomb introducing reforms. Teacher education programs have been revised, a distance education institute and a school of graduate studies have been instituted though no government funds have been provided to expand the institutions' facilities.

The University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) expects to see the number of enrolments rise to 13,000 over the next ten years, compared to the current 5,600, despite a predicted fall in acceptance rate to 27% from 38%. The UPNG relies on national government for financial support, and with priority currently going to primary and secondary education, further education is to continue feeling the pinch.