The Mountains of the Moon University (MMU) Chancellor, Prof. Edward Bitanywaine Rugumayo has appointed with immediate effect Prof. Dr. Pius Coxwell Achanga as substantive Vice-Chancellor (VC) and Prof. Dr. John Massa Kasenene, as Deputy Vice-chancellor (Academics & Outreach) of MMU as a Public University.
The appointments follow the provisions of Section 31 (2) & Section 32 (1) of the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act (2001) as amended, that empower the Chancellor, on the recommendation of the University Council, to appoint the Vice-Chancellor and Deputy Vice Chancellor of a Public University.
In a memo dated 4th October 2022 to all staff, students, and all other stakeholders of Mountains of the Moon University signed by Dr. Edmond Kagambe, the University Secretary (US) states;
“On behalf of the University Council, Top University Management, and the MMU fraternity, we welcome and congratulate these top leaders of the University and pledge to offer them our full support, as we develop and grow MMU.”
The President of the Republic of Uganda H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni appointed Prof. Edward Bitanywaine Rugumayo as Chancellor of MMU on 18th August 2022 for a four term.
Mountains of the Moon University is the 10th Public University in Uganda found in Fort Portal Tourism City that became a Public University effective 1st July 2022 established under The Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act under Statutory Instrument (S.I). No. 2 of 2022 of Parliament of Uganda.
Who is Prof. Dr. Pius Coxwell Achanga – Vice-Chancellor
Prof. Dr. Pius Coxwell Achanga is the Head of Institutional and Programme Accreditation (IPA) at the Uganda National Council for Higher Education (NCHE), the Higher Education Regulator in Uganda.
His current role involves overseeing the licensure and establishment, planning, development and strategic guidance of all Higher Education Training Institutions (Universities, Other Degree Awarding Institutions and Other Tertiary Institutions) in the Country.
These include, Institutional and Curriculum accreditation, Monitoring and Evaluation and coordination and mentorship of the leadership and governance of over 250 accredited Higher Education Training Institutions (both Public and Private).
Prior to joining NCHE, Prof. Dr. Achanga was a Research Associate at the Institute for Manufacturing (IfM) in the School of Engineering, University of Cambridge (UK).
Prof. Dr, Achanga holds a PhD in Manufacturing Systems (process optimization using fuzzy logic) and a Master of Science Degree in Manufacturing Management and Information Systems both from Cranfield University (UK); a Bachelor of Business Information Technology from the University of Hull in the (UK) and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) from Canterbury Christ Church University (UK).
Prof. Dr. Achanga has attended a number of Continuous Professional Development (CPDs) trainings that include Fellowships in University Administration Support Program by the International Research and Exchanges (IREX) Board, Washington DC (2014) and the Education USA Leadership Institute, North Carolina State University (2017).
On 3 rd November 2014, Prof. Dr. Achanga was Appointed and Commissioned, as an Honorary Tennessean by Bill Haslam, Governor of the State of Tennessee. He was also the Winner of the Emerald Literati Network Awards Excellence, 2007 – for the most outstanding and highly commended paper in 2006 Series.
Prof. Dr. Achanga is a Member of the Higher Education Research and Advocacy Network in Africa (HERANA), the East African Higher Education Quality Assurance Network (EAQAN) and the Ugandan Universities Quality Assurance Forum (UUQAF).
Prof. Dr. Achanga is a Visiting Professor of Higher Education Studies with a Special focus on Research & Innovation in University Systems for Socio-Economic Development at the Institute for Post-School Studies, the University of the Western Cape, October 2017 – Current.
He is also the National Focal person to the National Planning Team for Developing the Nuclear Human Resource Strategy under Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, Uganda. He has a number of scholarly publications, with the latest being, Higher Education Systems and Institutions: Uganda, Springer Science Business Media Dordrecht 2018.
Who is Prof. Dr. John Massa Kasenene – Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics & Outreach)
MMU Prof. Dr. John Massa. Kasenene was the Vice Chancellor of Mountains of the Moon University Private 2011-2022. He was the Principal Academic and Administrative Officer of the University (CEO).
He provided leadership, academic and administrative functions to the whole University. Before joining MMU he was a Professor of Forestry Ecology, Department of Botany, Makerere University and a Senior Research and Training Fellow at Makerere University Biological Field Station in Kibale Forest National Park.
Kasenene holds a Ph.D in Forest Ecology from Michigan State University, East Lansing USA; Master of Science in Plant Ecology, Bachelor of Science and Diploma in Education both from Makerere University, Uganda.
He also holds a Certificate in Primatology, Front Royal College, Virginia, USA; Certificate in Field Methods, Costarica, Virginia USA. Prof. Dr. John Kasenene has been a lecturer for Higher Education since 1982 to date in areas of speciality of Conservation Biology, Community and ecosystem ecology, restoration ecology, natural resource ecology and conservation, plant energy and ecological and environmental assessment methods and techniques.
Prof. Dr. Kasenene has served in various sectors as a chair Board of Trustees Planning and Monitoring Committee of Uganda Wildlife Authority, 2003-2009; Member Technical Committee Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, 2000-2003; Chair Review Conservation Agreement Committee Uganda Wildlife Authority, 2004; Coordinator Research Funding and Research on Natural Resources, NORAD programme, MUK, 1998-2001; Member of National Examination Board [UNEB, 2013 to date; Chairperson Board of Governors Ruteete SSS, 2012 to date and Member of Governing Council Uganda Technical College, Kichwamba, 2010 to date.
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