THE PAPUA NEW GUINEA Compiled and Edited by Department of Agriculture PNG University of Technology THE PAPUA NEW GUINEA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH REPORT 2017 Compiled and Edited by Professor Shamsul Akanda Department of Agriculture RESEARCH REPORT 2017 PNG University of Technology CONTENTS Contents Page Contents i Foreword from the Research Committee Chairman ii Research Committee Terms of Reference and Membership iii Executive Summary iv Journal Publications from Academic Departments (2013-2017) v Departmental Research Reports 1 Department of Agriculture 2 Department of Applied Physics 16 Department of Applied Sciences 23 Department of Architecture and Building 30 Department of Business Studies 33 Department of Civil Engineering 39 Department of Communication and Development Studies 44 Department of Electrical and Communication Engineering 59 Department of Forestry 69 Department of Mathematics and Computer Science 84 Department of Mechanical Engineering 86 Department of Mining Engineering 92 Department of Surveying and Lands Studies 102 Allocation of Research Fund 112 Allocation of Conference Fund 114 Abstracts – Unitech Seminar Series 115 RESEARCH REPORT 2017 i PNG University of Technology THE RESEARCH COMMITTEE OF THE ACADEMIC BOARD 1. TERMS OF REFERENCE In order that research activities within the University may be encouraged, coordinated, funded and monitored efficiently, the Academic Board set up a Research Committee under the following terms of references: (a) To promote and encourage research and development; (b) To formulate an overall research policy and appropriate guidelines; (c) To allocate funds for research and development within the University; (d) To prepare an annual report on the research conducted by the University. 2. CONSTITUTION Ex-Officio Members a. Vice Chancellor b. Pro Vice Chancellor (Academic) c. Chairman, ATCDI Appointed Members d. One person appointed by the Vice Chancellor who shall be the Chairman of the Committee e. Six persons appointed biennially by the Academic Board MEMBERSHIP Ex-Officio Members Dr Albert Schram Associate Professor Augustine Moshi Appointed Members Associate Professor Augustine Moshi (Chairman) Professor S. Akanda Dr. S. Gopalakrishnan Dr. G. Arpa Dr Mex Peki In Attendance Mr Peter Likius, Deputy Bursar Mr Gabriel Paul, Executive Officer RESEARCH REPORT 2017 iii PNG University of Technology Executive Summary The Annual Research Committee Report is a comprehensive compilation of ongoing and completed research from all the 13 academic departments. The university completed the 2017 Academic year with a high note even though financial challenge was hurting the normal operations of the university. The Research Report 2017 contains the research priorities aligned with “Unitech 2030” and national priority areas, ongoing and completed research, publications, national and overseas conference attendance by the academic staff from the 13 academic departments. During 2017, a total of 68 peer reviewed research articles were published in reputed international and national journals compared to 55 in 2016. This shows the strong commitment and resilience of the faculty members to research and publications despite severe funding shortage in 2017. The number of journal publications is in steady increase over the years. The research conducted by the PG students those who graduated in 21st Aril, 2017 was reported as a part of Research Report 2016. Research conducted by the final year undergraduate students also constitute a large proportion of research reported by the academic departments. Many of the research outputs are very important and of immense values for tackling the problems the country is facing. Many of those required to fine-tuned further research. Despite severe financial challenge, university allocated a total of K76,353 to support the postgraduate students’ research, and an amount of K22,680 for conference attendance by the academic staff. Allocations of funds both for research and conference were higher than that of 2016. This demonstrates the Unitech’s strong commitment to PG studies and research. This funding needs to be substantially increased in the coming years as this is the worthwhile spending. Postgraduate studies are the conduits for the universities to develop research programs to be creative and solve complex problem through innovations leading to sustainable national developments. These are the shared challenges for the whole country and needs shared response. The report also contains 25 abstracts presented in the “Unitech Research Committee Seminar Series” – a hallmark of Unitech. This weekly seminar series that is running for the last five years brings the academics, staff and students together in a common platform to share and disseminate research findings to wider university community. This seminar series is the best forum not only to disseminate the research outcomes to wider community but also to train the young academics and postgraduate students for their presentation and communication skills. RESEARCH REPORT 2017 iv PNG University of Technology Number of Peer Reviewed Journal Publications for Different Academic Departments (2013-2017) Departments 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Total Agriculture 14 06 08 08 12 48 Applied Physics 0 0 0 06 21 27 Applied Sciences 04 07 09 02 0 22 Architecture and 01 0 0 0 0 01 Building Business Studies 01 1 05 07 12 26 Civil Engineering 01 0 01 03 0 05 Communication and 03 10 05 02 06 26 Development Studies Electrical and 0 03 01 06 05 15 Communication Engineering Forestry 02 02 03 0 0 07 Mathematics and 04 02 01 0 02 09 Computer Science Mechanical 01 03 01 1 01 07 Engineering Mining Engineering 03 01 01 0 0 05 Surveying and Land 03 11 12 20 09 55 Studies Total 37 46 47 55 68 253 RESEARCH REPORT 2017 v PNG University of Technology Departmental Research Reports Agriculture Applied Physics Applied Sciences Architecture and Building Business Studies Civil Engineering Communication and Development Studies Electrical and Communication Engineering Forestry Mathematics and Computer Science Mechanical Engineering Mining Engineering Surveying and Land Studies RESEARCH REPORT 2017 1 PNG University of Technology DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Head of Department: Dr Rajashekhar Rao BK The Department of Agriculture is one of the 13 Academic Departments in Papua New Guinea University of Technology. It offers Undergraduate and Postgraduate Degrees in Agriculture, conduct agricultural research and disseminate the relevant information to the community. The undergraduate program consists of a four-year study program- Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (BSc. Ag). The Bachelor of Agriculture and Rural Development (BARD), program is offered in distance mode in collaboration with the Department of Distance Learning. There are three robust postgraduate programs, which include Master of Science in Agriculture (MSc. Ag), Master of Philosophy (MPhil), and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). The MSc. Ag) program is a combination of course work and research-based degree program, while PhD and MPhil studies are fully research-based degrees. The Department has 15 qualified academic staff members (11 with PhDs and 3 on PhD studies overseas). In 2017, seven students graduated with postgraduate degrees (2 MPhil and 5 MSc). The Department of Agriculture is committed in delivering quality teaching, research, outreach activities and post-graduate studies. It has well guided activities including research thrust areas stipulated in the Department’s Five Year Strategic Development Plans (2005 – 2010 and 2011 – 2015). Strategic Plan for 2016-20 has already been prepared based on the University’s Vision 2030 and Mission. The curriculum is enhanced through regular and periodic review in consultation with stakeholders and industries in the public and private sectors. The Department has established strong collaborative research links with international developmental partners and stakeholders, including Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) and New Zealand AID. Regular publication of the scientific journal ‘Niugini Agrisaiens’ and academic staff publishing scientific papers regularly confirm the department’s strong commitment in research at Unitech. Strong collaborative research collaborations exist with PNG National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI), University of South Pacific (USP), Fiji, Charles RESEARCH REPORT 2017 2 PNG University of Technology Sturt University (CSU), Australia, National Research Institute (NRI) of Greenwich University (U.K.), South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI), Australia, University of Canberra, Australia, Curtin University, Australia and other NGOs, industries and institutions further cements our strong leadership in agricultural research. Other publications, compilation of abstracts of research done by the post- graduate students, Annual Reports, Farm Report and Strategic Plan on annual basis also strengthens the department’s research capacity. The following research focus areas have been identified and much of the staff and student research are woven around these thematic areas: RESEARCH FOCUS AREAS Research Focus Area – 1: Crop Sciences • Evaluation of promising rice varieties for Papua New Guinea • Crop improvement and adaptation to stress environments caused by climate change • Use of Trichoderma spp. as a biocontrol agent against some selected soil borne pathogens • Study of the production technology and practices of selected crops by farmers in different agro-ecological regions of Papua