The NRI Council as the governing body of the Institute is empowered to achieve the objectives of the Institute and to formulate policies on social, political, and economic research in Papua New Guinea. The Council also controls the affairs of the Institute as stated in the National Research Institute Act 1975. The Council approves contracts, erects and maintains buildings, accepts, uses, and controls Institue's assets, makes or seeks grants, provides scholarships, and liaises with departments, instrumentalities and authorities of the government in the provision of research data and policy formulation. The Council meets quarterly and comprises of ten members - the Chairman, two members of Parliament, an officer of the public service, and one community representative who are appointed by the Head of State.

The other members include an academic staff member from the University of Technology and the University of Papua New Guinea, a staff representative from the NRI who is a full-time researcher, a departmental head, and the Director of the Institute.

(From L-R) Gomi Gipe (University of Technology), Dr. Thomas Webster (NRI Director), Wilson Thompson (Community) Prof. Ross Hynes (University of Papua New Guinea), Sir Henry Chow (Council Chairman), Luke Freeman (Department of Personnel Management), Joe Kappa (Department of National Planning and Monitoring).

Dr. Thomas Webster was appointed the Director of the National Research Institute in 2004. Dr. Webster has a Doctorate of Education, attained from the University of Bristol, United Kingdom in 1997.

After obtaining a Primary School Teaching Certificate from the Trinity Teachers College in 1973, Dr. Webster then undertook a Bachelor of Education at the University of Papua New Guinea (1984-1987). In 1991 he completed a Master of Education at Harvard University in the USA.

Dr. Webster has held various positions in the education sector before becoming the Provincial Administrator for Western Highlands between 1998-2001. From 2002-2004 he was the Executive Director of the University of Papua New Guinea Open College.

Dr. Webster sits on various committees and boards. He is currently the Chair of the Working Committee preparing a Basic Education Plan for PNG, Chairman of the National Land Development Program Taskforce and a member of the PNG National Land Board.

His previous research has focussed on Universalising Basic Education in Papua New Guinea and he has conducted other ongoing analytical work on the status of development in PNG, specifically in the areas of:

• links between knowledge generation (research), policy process and policy implementation;
• governance issues; and
• land development issues.

Dr. Webster is from the Western Highlands Province.

Dr. Musawe Sinebare is from Mu village in Chimbu Province. He joined the National Research Institute as the Deputy Director iin 2008.

The Deputy Director is a newly created position and Dr. Sinebare has been tasked with assisting the Director in research coordination and management. He is also tasked to ensure that effective research collaboration is maintained with external researchers and universities in PNG and abroad.

Dr. Sinebare has one Masters Degree in Education and another in Information Technology and Communication, respectively from Birmingham University in the United Kingdom and Wollongong University in Australia. He has a Ph.D degree from Wollongong University specialising in Information and Communications Technology in Education.

He served within the University of Goroka from 1980-2000 in various capacities. In 2000, he became the founding Pro Vice-Chancellor (Administration) and in 2002, was appointed the Acting Vice Chancellor. He served both positions concurrently until his resignation in 2004.

From 2005-2007, Dr. Sinebare served in the Eastern Highlands Provincial Government as the Deputy Administrator. He played an instrumental role in the formulation and implementation of the Provincial Government's Corporate Plan 2006-2009 and also put in place mechanisms to promote good governance and prudent financial management protocols.

Dr. Sinebare's publications include the first edition of the Melanesian School Mathematics Dictionary, published in 1994, followed by the second edition in 1998. The dictionary is widely used by students in PNG, Fiji, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu.

Another of Dr Sinebare's published titles is 'Path to success', written especially to inspire young graduates and students. His latest book, published in 2009, is entitled, 'Papua New Guinea: Developmental Strategies for Socio-Economic Empowerment'.

In addition, Dr. Sinebare has published several journal articles on Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and other subjects in PNG and abroad.

Dr. Sinebare has presented papers at many academic conferences on Information and Communications Technology Curriculum and has contributed comments and input toward shaping many public policy documents.

He is currently working on a book tentatively titled 'Governance, Management & Leadership: A Pragmatic Approach' to be published in 2010.