| Sports |
by KAIRU LAHO
Yauieb, an extraordinary character
HE was diplomatic in nature, yet was
firm and stood his ground. He transpired humility, and was very
committed to the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG).
These were some of the fine qualities the late chancellor Andrew
Yauieb showed in helping the administration manage the university
of over 10,000 students and 400 staff over the last two years.
Yauieb passed away in the early hours of New Year’s Day.
He became a member of the University Council in 1997. A year
later, he was appointed pro-chancellor before becoming chancellor
in 2004.
As head of the 30-member University Council, Yauieb made decisions
of the highest level to ensure that the institution ran smoothly,
yet he would make time to listen to and involved staff members and
students. He showed his commitment to the university when he
stepped in during the height of the student crisis of July 2005 to
quell a potentially volatile situation.
He managed to end an industrial action taken against the senior
management of the university.
During his term as pro-chancellor and later chancellor, he saw
through the restructuring of the university and later its review.
Yauieb facilitated the Commission of Inquiry into the student
unrest and later ensured a smooth transition of the change in
senior management.
Under his reign, two national academics were appointed professors.
At last year’s graduation ceremony, he farewelled controversial
vice-chancellor Prof Leslie Eastcott and graduated the first woman
with UPNG’s home-grown Masters in Business Administration.
He also graduated the first Papua New Guinean with a Master of
Dental Surgery and the first undergraduates in Bachelor of Medical
Laboratory Science and Bachelor of Medical Imaging Science.
A number of new academic programmes were established under his
leadership.
Acting Vice-Chancellor Prof Kenneth Sumbuk described it as a great
privilege to work with Yauieb during the student crisis.
“Mr Yauieb was a man of superlative accomplishments, and yet he
was completely humble and gracious.
“His remarkable feats of diplomacy, administrative acumen and
endurance during the crisis will make us remember him as a
champion of the university’s stability which we are now enjoying,”
he said.
Prof Sumbuk said the university was proud to have such a long
association with one of its very own pioneering alumnus.
“As the chancellor, he was committed to the University of Papua
New Guinea and played a very active role as the chairman of the
council. This showed in his keenness for the council to play an
active part in the decision-making process of the university and
for it not to be seen as a rubber stamp.”
Former registrar Vincent Malaibe said that Yauieb was
“extraordinary” when compared to previous chancellors as he was
very involved in the university’s affairs and the implementation
of major decisions.
“As chancellor, his channel of communication should have been
through the administration, but this was not the line he took,” Mr
Malaibe said.
“I think it was his private sector experience where success is not
about wishing but getting involved, and that’s what drove him to
come down the ranks.”
Yauieb beamed of humility. He had a smile and a hug for everyone
no matter what the situation.
On a visit to the university one morning, he walked into the
Public Relations and Marketing Unit and after greeting the staff,
spent about 30 minutes talking about protocol, courtesy and ways
of greeting different levels of people.
“After the student crisis, he visited the Ulli Beier grounds and
told me and others that one of his assignments this year would be
to come down and visit different offices, lecture rooms, students’
halls of residence and the library among others,” recalled
lecturer Leo Wafiwa.
“To me, this was a man of concern who had a great heart for this
university. His death is a great loss to the university.”
Yauieb encouraged entrepreneurship for the university and drove
this through the new management. He instigated the repossession of
the Botanical Gardens by the university and to recreate it into a
business entity.
He approved the purchase of new machinery for the University
Printery in the hope of turning it into a commercial printing arm.
Yauieb was passionate about his rugby and sports in general. He
encouraged sporting codes carrying the university name to make
their home ground on the university sporting field. He was a vocal
supporter for the University Piggies team in last year’s grand
final.
Yauieb will be long remembered for his immense contribution in
driving and steering this university to newer and greater heights.
*The writer is the university’s public
relations coordinator.
 
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