T

he blockading of the campus of Cenderawasih University in Waena, Abepura Jayapura, Papua, from Monday to Thursday by its students has resulted in a strike by its 615 lecturers and 321 administrative employees.

“The strike is a protest against the students who have been frequently blocking the campus,” said university rector Onesimus Sahuleka on Friday, explaining that the students had been blocking the campus at least twice a month.

Onesimus welcomed students’ aspirations but encouraged them not to express them by disturbing the teaching and learning activities at the campus.

The blocking of the campus was held to demand the campus prolong the enrolment period and to give 80 percent of its available seats to Papuans.

“I cannot extend the enrolment period because the registration was conducted online and nationwide,” Onesimus said.

He added that the university had also been prioritizing Papuans. Last year, he said, of the new students accepted, 79 percent were Papuans and the remaining 21 percent were outsiders.

During the protest on Thursday, a lecturer, John Kawatu, of the university’s school of teacher training (FKIP) was injured as protesters pelted his car with stones.