Nick Kopia Kuman is a Papua New Guinea politician. He is a Member of the National Parliament of Papua New Guinea, representing the seat of Gumine Open since 2002 as a member of People's National Congress.

The Honourable
Nick Kuman
MP
Kuman in 2018
Minister for Higher Education, Research, and Science and Technology
Assumed office
7 June 2019
Prime MinisterJames Marape
Preceded byPila Niningi
Minister for Education
In office
24 February 2014 – 31 May 2019
Prime MinisterPeter O'Neill
Minister for Culture and Tourism
In office
19 January 2007 – 2012
Prime MinisterMichael Somare
Minister for Culture and Tourism
In office
2 August 2003 – 18 May 2004
Prime MinisterMichael Somare
Member of the National Parliament of Papua New Guinea
Assumed office
2002
ConstituencyGumine Open
Personal details
NationalityPapua New Guinean
Political partyPeople's National Congress (2002–)
Other political
affiliations
Independent (2002)
Alma materUniversity of Western Sydney

Early life

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Kuman obtained a Bachelor of Applied Science (Environmental Management) with Honours from the University of Western Sydney, Australia. Prior to his election, he was employed by the National Capital District Commission for 19 years, and was the Deputy City Manager of the National Capital District.[1]

Political career

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He was first elected to the National Parliament in the 2002 general election for Gumine Open as an Independent candidate, then joined People's National Congress. He was appointed as Minister for Culture and Tourism in the Somare/Marat cabinet from 2003 to 2004, and again from 2007 to 2012.

He was re-elected in the 2012 general election, but was declared duly elected in November 2013 following a vote recount. On 24 February 2014, he was appointed Minister for Education in the O'Neill-Dion Cabinet, and held this position for the remaining duration of O'Neill's leadership.

On 7 June 2019, he was appointed as Minister for Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, as part of the First Marape Cabinet, replacing Pila Niningi.[2]

References

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  1. ^ "Hon. Nick Kopia Kuman, MP - Tenth Parliament of Papua New Guinea". www.parliament.gov.pg. Retrieved 2019-06-08.
  2. ^ "Prime Minister James Marape's cabinet in place". Post Courier. 2019-06-07. Retrieved 2019-06-08.