New head confident about PNG university
Port Moresby (The National/PINA Nius Online) – He is new to the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) but not unfamiliar with Papua New Guinea, having visited the country before. He has 34 years of experience as a teacher and educational administrator. The new Vice-Chancellor of the UPNG, Professor Les Eastcott of Newcastle, Australia is confident about the university’s future.
Prof. Eastcott is prepared and ready to confront the challenges and expectations of a peculiar work environment and to make unpopular decisions, provided they are in the best interest of the University. In an exclusive interview with The University This Week (UPNG’s official newsletter), during the first week of his work as Vice Chancellor, he firmly stated what he plans and wants to do.
“I enjoy challenges and I think there are some challenges still to address at UPNG. We have major issues of infrastructure, major budget problems that need to be addressed,” explained Professor Eastcott.
“The University has great potential to add to its reputation as the leading University in the Pacific. UPNG has some very good academic staff with international recognition in their field of expertise.
Therefore, if the university is properly funded, the opportunities are limitless,” averred Prof. Eastcott, when asked to give his first impressions about the institution.
Prof. Eastcott, however, began his career as an educator in 1966, after completing his basic degree. He completed his Masters degree in Education at the Sydney University, and his doctorate degree in Education Administration at University of Alberta in Canada.
Years of hard work paid off when he was appointed Pro Vice Chancellor of the University of Newcastle in 1989, a position he held until his recent UPNG appointment.
