A former education minister has been appointed as the inaugural vice-chancellor of the National University of Vanuatu.
The creation of a multilingual national university was approved by parliament in a unanimous vote last year.
The new vice chancellor of the National University of Vanuatu, Jean Pierre Nirua. Photo: RNZ / Hilaire Bule
Jean Pierre Nirua - who was education minister when parliament passed the creation - was yesterday selected to lead it from a field of nine candidates.
He described his new role as a heavy responsibility.
"I feel very humbled by the decision of the council to have me appointed as the founding vice-chancellor of the national university of Vanuatu," Nirua said.
"I know that it's going to be a lot of work to do, but I'm glad."
Nirua said his first role will be to make key appointments and get the funding needed to make the new university successful.
A ceremony at the newly-created National University of Vanuatu. Photo: RNZ / Hilaire Bule