UniTech enrolling more women and shaping future leaders
On International Day for Women Human Rights Defenders, we highlight two women who are shaping future leaders of Papua New Guinea at the University of Technology in Lae, Morobe Province.
Registrar Mrs. Veronica Thomas and Female Student Matron Ms. Vincencia Soru, both play a crucial role in guiding student leaders to address gender issues, using their strong understanding of the diverse cultural backgrounds and experiences of the students from across Papua New Guinea.
The University of Technology has seen positive changes on campus with the enrolment of more women, including greater involvement in and equality of decision making for the student body.
“More girls have become confident leaders on campus and are able to speak up for other female students,” Ms. Soru says.
“This is giving recognition to female voices and is building a healthy relationship among the university community, especially amongst the male population who are starting to respect the female voices,” Mrs. Thomas says and added that it has been a long journey for the university to get to where it is now.
“Being a patrilineal society, it is not normal to see strong women colleagues, so it is sometimes intimidating,” Mrs. Thomas explains.
Mrs. Thomas converted an old office into a counselling room next to the male student dormitories to enable the male students to reach out to her when they need someone to talk to.
“We have been and are still coaching and helping male students on how to deal with strong women and yet at the same time, not overpowering but respecting the dialogue. The coaching and mentoring are ongoing, and we direct them to go back to the school’s senate committee to discuss with the female leaders in a respectful way.”
Through an Australia Government Incentive Fund grant, a new 100-bed girls’ dormitory at the university will further help to ensure more women have access to safe and secure accommodation on campus supporting the next generation of women leaders to pursue careers across a range of academic areas.
“By accommodating more girls with the new dormitory, we are enabling them to excel in their studies because they are closer to the laboratories and lecture halls, have Wi-Fi, and access to clean water and sanitation and security,” Ms. Soru says.
Ms. Soru and Mrs Thomas agreed that with more female students on campus the environment is improving for all students. Behaviours are changing for the better, with less fights, greater collaboration and a more respect and inclusion for all.
