PNG loses Rosa Kambuou, distinguished plant scientist & geneticist
15 July 2014
DAVID PUTULAN | PNG Loop
FAMILY, friends and former colleagues have gathered at picturesque Lido village in Sandaun Province to farewell Rosa Kambuou, one of PNG’s prominent female scientists.
Rosa, the longest serving scientist in the agriculture sector, was laid to rest in her beloved home after a long battle with poor health.
She served as a scientist with the Department of Agriculture and later with the PNG National Agricultural Research Institute when the department’s research arm was split off.
Rosa became principal scientist of NARI, a program leader and was the country’s most experienced plant genetics scientist.
She was PNG’s representative to the Convention on Biological Diversity, the international body responsible for developing the international policy framework for protection of biological diversity and the protection of traditional knowledge relating to plant genetic resources.
Rosa contributed immensely to the agriculture sector in PNG and was initially responsible for building up the National Germplasm Collection of important food crops like yams, cassava, bananas, taro and sweet potato.
She was always concerned about the erosion of traditional genetic material and the protection of traditional knowledge relating to plant genetic resources.
Rosa will be remembered by her many colleagues, including this correspondent whom she mentored.
A real lady, an inspiring person and a true scientist.
I am grateful to have known her as a senior colleague and one whose wisdom and advice, both personal and proffessional was worth heeding.
Her passing is a profound loss.
Posted by: Michael Dom | 15 July 2014 at 07:43 PM
I worked briefly with Rosa ten years ago. Her passion and enthusiasm for her work was wonderful. She made me feel very welcome in her country. I really admired her.
Posted by: Bronwen Harvey | 15 July 2014 at 08:17 AM