A Papua New Guinea court has allowed the former Vice Chancellor of the University of Technology to leave the country to retrieve his PhD certificate from Italy.
Unitech vice-chancellor Albert Schram (right) talks to a colleague on the institution's Lae campus Photo: RNZ / Johnny Blades
Albert Schram was arrested earlier this month and charged with obtaining employment through false pretence, with police alleging he used a fake PhD certificate when he got the Unitech job in 2012.
One of Dr Schram's bail conditions was that he was not allowed to leave the country, but his lawyers argued that he was required to collect his certificate in person at the European University Institute, in Italy.
The National Court in Waigani has granted leave to Dr Schram who will have to return to PNG by the 12th of June.
Last week Dr Schram's lawyer, Greg Manda, said his client had presented a certified copy but had lost his original certificate.
He could only obtain another in person from the European University Institute in Florence, Mr Manda said.
The lawyer claimed a letter from PNG's Department of Higher Education confirming Dr Schram's qualification should have been sufficient.
Dr Schram was arrested after entering PNG on a tourist visa from Australia. Unitech's council said it had nothing to do with the arrest.
Dr Schram sought a review of his sacking earlier this year by the council which alleged he breached his contract by failing to present verified academic credentials.
In a letter published on the Unitech website, chancellor Jean Kekedo said police were investigating a complaint lodged by "the former council".
According to Ms Kekedo, the current council had reached an agreement with Dr Schram for him to leave the country after his judicial review proceedings were dismissed.
