Sir Michael Thomas Somare (9 April 1936 – 26 February 2021) was a Papua New Guinean politician known in the country as “papa blo kantri” (the father of the nation). He was a pivotal politician in the coming of independence. His political career spanned from 1968 until his retirement in 2017. He has been the longest-serving prime minister (17 years). As well as the minister of foreign affairs, the leader of the opposition and governor of East Sepik.

We were proud to meet Grand Chief in October 2018 during our work for Universities in PNG. It was an unexpected meeting after Sunday mass at the DWU campus in Madang. Radek Cichoń presented our work in the country. Sir Michael Somare expressed his satisfaction and thanked for our service.