Island Achiever
Cecilia Nembou Gets Top UPNG Job
She's the first local woman professor
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Papua New Guinea women professionals continue to excel in once male-dominated fields with the recent appointment of the country¹s first woman professor at the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG). She is Dr Cecilia Nembou. The UPNG council appointed her as the new Executive Dean of the School of Natural and Physical Sciences. She took over from Professor Lance Hill, who had been acting in the position since January 15 last year.
The elevation to this level means that she will now be referred to as a professor.
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This is in line with the university council¹s decision that executive deans of schools will automatically attain the title upon their appointment. This makes Nembou the first woman to be elevated to professorial level in any institution or organisation in Papua New Guinea. Eastcott said he was extremely pleased to announce the appointment. Eastcott said she was a very welcome addition to the team of executive deans heading respective schools and UPNG.
Nembou, 46, has 23 years experience in university work as an academic and administrator. She has held various senior positions both as an academic and administrator, and is a member of various boards and committees at UPNG and other outside organisations.
She brings with her a wealth of experience and skills to contribute to the growth and development of the school.
She joined UPNG Staff Office as a graduate assistant after completing a science degree in mathematics from UPNG in 1975. She started her teaching career as a part time tutor, teaching fellow and was a lecturer for some time before pursuing her masters degree in science at Sussex University between 1977 and 1978. She later returned to teaching. She also has a post-graduate diploma in statistics from the University of Canberra, Australia. After a brief stint with the Papua New Guinea Banking Corporation as a research officer, Nembou rejoined UPNG as a lecturer in mathematics in 1985.
Later, between 1987 and 1991, she did doctoral studies in operations research at the University of New South Wales, Australia. She was temporarily appointed chief executive of the University of Papua New Guinea in 1999 after the departure of Vice Chancellor, Dr Rody Hills. She resigned in December the same year to return to academic duties in the mathematics department until her appointment. Nembou becomes the second woman to be appointed to such a high position.
Last year, another Papua New Guinean woman, Cathy Davani, was appointed the first woman National Court judge for the country.
