Air Niugini continues to promote gender equality in the workplace by encouraging more female staff to further their knowledge in their respective fields.
This has seen a female staff from the Information Technology (IT) Department, Marisa Kuypers who is the IT Projects and Strategy Manager for the airline, recently attain her Masters in IT.
Ms Kuypers achievement demonstrates Air Niugini Management’s commitment in promoting gender equality, based on merit, where more women are being encouraged and supported to further their education and also take on managerial positions within the airline.
She successfully completed her Masters in IT majoring in Enterprise Systems at the Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane, Australia.
She commenced her studies in January 2019 and completed the Masters program in December 2020 with outstanding results. She was admitted to the Dean’s list of Students with Excellent Academic Performance from the QUT Science and Engineering Faculty in her final year semester one (1), 2020.
Ms Kuypers said the AusAid scholarship program was an opportunity to take because the goals and objectives behind it is to help in the development of the country.
She explained Air Niugini is an air transport service provider that enables development to progress and also contributes to the country’s revenue thus needs good professional leaders to consistently make good change.
The course she majored in, Enterprise Systems is indeed needed in the rapidly changing e-business world.
Ms Kuypers said, “The Masters program was made up of a combination of Business process management, networking, research, project management and many other IT units. It has provided me with an in-depth knowledge in the field of IT which I am currently applying these skills in what I do at Air Niugini.”
Ms Kuypers returned to work with the company after completing the 18 months study.
She has been with the company for five years now since she started in 2013 as an IT business Systems Analyst.
She now works in the Applications support section of the IT department providing support for the company’s software applications and also provide IT solutions to the business where needed.
“I am grateful for what I have achieved and would like to contribute to the success of Air Niugini by improving some of the business processes and systems, ensuring our systems are aligned with the business objectives,” she said.
Air Niugini Chief Executive Officer, Mr Bruce Alabaster congratulated Ms Kuypers on her remarkable achievement.
He said, “Workwise, Marisa also stands out and is a great asset to Air Niugini and also the country. Air Niugini is very proud to have a person of Marisa’s capability and her academic achievement is noteworthy.
“Furthermore, Marisa being a female also demonstrates Air Niugini’s desire in promoting and encouraging gender equality,” Mr Alabaster added.
Hailing from a mix parentage of Buin in South Bougainville and the Netherlands, Ms Kuypers grew up in Bougainville during the crises where she completed primary school.
After the Bougainville crisis, she moved to Port Moresby to attend girls Catholic boarding school Marianville High, where she completed Year 10.
She then completed Grade 11 and 12 at Aiyura National High School then attained her Bachelor’s degree in IT at the University of Papua New Guinea.
Ms Kuypers believes education is key to the future of Papua New Guinea, and encouraged her colleagues to further their knowledge and studies when they get the chance to as the country needs it.
She added that setting your goals, time management and some motivation is key to succeed in studies to achieving your goals.
Ms Kuypers acknowledged and thanked the Australia Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australia Awards PNG and the Air Niugini Management for the support and encouragement that has enabled her to complete the Masters program.