The Papua and New Guinea Institute of Higher Technical Education enrolled its first students in 1967 and moved to Lae at the beginning of 1968. An active building programme is underway. At the suggestion of Professor J.H. Lavery, University of Queensland, the first project undertaken by the writer on taking up his appointment in February 1968 was research on earthquake engineering problems. Two accelerographs were purchased from New Zealand and installed on the campus in November, 1968.