Dr Tangikina Moimoi Steen has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer for the Ministry of Education and Training for two-years, starting on November 11.

The Public Service Commission announced the appointment today.

Prior to her appointment, she was Senior Lecturer, Honours, Masters & PhD Supervisor at the School of Creative Industries, Division of Education, Arts and Social Sciences at the University of South Australia.

Dr Steen holds several academic qualifications, including a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD - Computer Education) from the University of South Australia, a Master of Education (Information Technology) from Deakin University, Victoria.

She began her career as a science and mathematics teacher at Queen Salote College in 1976, 1987 and part of 2014. 

From 1988 to 1999, she was employed by the South Australian Institute of Technology (now the University of South Australia) as a senior tutor/lecturer in mathematics and computing studies. 

Since then, she held various senior academic and management positions at the University of South Australia and was Acting Head of School at the David Unaipon College of Indigenous Education and Research.

Dr Steen is from Tatakamotonga and Kolonga in Tongatapu.