By Evaline Alum
Former Kenyan cabinet secretary, lawyer, and diplomat, Dr. Amina Chawahir Mohamed, was installed as the second chancellor of the International University of East Africa (IUEA) in a colourful ceremony held on Wednesday, February 15.
Dr. Amina replaces the late Governor Bank of Uganda Prof. Tumusiime Mutebile, who served as the founding chancellor of IUEA from 2010 to 2022.
In her inaugural speech, Dr. Mohamed thanked the Board of Directors for giving her the opportunity to serve as the Chancellor of IUEA. She expressed her commitment to taking IUEA to greater heights and making it one of the best universities in East Africa.
She emphasised the need to invest in quality education, research, and innovation to produce graduates who are not only competent but also socially responsible.
The new Chancellor also highlighted on the importance of partnerships and collaborations with other universities, industries, and organisations in advancing the university’s academic and research agenda.
“For the continent to help deal with its problems, it is up to universities to help teach young men and women who can solve real-world problems. Our educational practises cannot remain in the 1960s while the world has moved on, and now we are in the middle of the fourth industrial revolution. This is what I want to do here to make sure IUEA is the university of choice on our continent,” Dr. Mohamed said.
She noted that she would ensure the university offers education that includes practical experiences and skills for students.
“I will do my best to ensure that this institution continues on its upward trajectory.”
The IUEA vice chancellor, Prof. Emeka Akaezuwa, said the university has for many years led in innovation and coming up with solutions that impact the community positively.
“As IUEA, we are known for excellence and innovation.” “We are a university where we encourage skills and people to have a vision of contributing to science, business, education, and the prosperity of the continent by encouraging and empowering our students to think big,” Dr. Akaezuwa said.
He noted that the new chancellor brings with her a wealth of experience in diplomacy, law, and other fields that he said will greatly help in uplifting the university.
The ceremony was attended by various dignitaries from the academic, political, and corporate worlds, including the Kenyan High Commissioner to Uganda, Maj Gen (Rtd) George A, the Chief Justice, and Alfonse Owiny-Dollo, the chairperson of the board of trustees for the university.
“Our expectations of her are correspondingly high, as we expect her to move the university into a new era and prepare our students for new pertinent demands in the 21st century.” “We are confident that the new chancellor will come up with new ideas so as to achieve our goal of being the university of technological choice for Africa,” Owiny Dollo said.
To honour the installation of the new Chancellor, students and staff were given traditional academic gowns to wear during the ceremony (similar to a graduation ceremony). It was a proud moment for the students, who took an active role in the event and demonstrated their dedication to academic excellence and the future of the university.
Ambassador Dr. Amina Chawahir Mohammed is the Executive Director of UNEP, a lawyer, and a diplomat of Somali descent. She formerly served as the Cabinet Secretary for Sports, Heritage, and Culture in Kenya.
Amina Chawahir Mohammed was recently ranked No. 6 among top 100 Reputable Africans. With a proven track record of success, the university community is confident that the new chancellor will guide the institution towards even greater achievements.
The installation ceremony of Dr. Amina Mohamed as the new Chancellor of IUEA was a grand success, signalling a new era of academic excellence, innovation, and growth for the university.
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