Prof. Paul Zeleza scoops a prestigious award
By Ernest Mwanzi
Vice Chancellor Prof. Paul T. Zeleza puts on the ceremonial gown assisted by the Chair of the Board of Trustees Mr. Linus Gitahi (center). Looking on are the Chancellor Dr. Manu Chandaria (second right) and former Vice Chancellor Prof. Freida A. Brown during his inauguration in April 2016. Photo | Dan Muchai
The Vice Chancellor Prof. Paul Zeleza yet again bagged a prestigious award “The Thabo Mbeki Award for Leadership”, which was confered to him by the Board of Toyin Falola Annual International Conference (TOFAC), the Board of Pan-African University Press and the Ibadan Cultural Group, University of Ibadan in July this year.
The Thabo Mbeki Award for Leadership honors an African of a high caliber with unblemished record of public service or in the private sector, committed to the project of African Renaissance and African Unity and who has distinguished him/herself in the public or private sector. This award adds to the many accolades the Vice Chancellor has received including Africa’s most prestigious book prize, the Noma Award, for his books; A Modern Economic
History of Africa (1993) and Manufacturing African Studies and Crises (1997), Choice Outstanding Academic Title (2003) and Honorable Mention, Conover-Porter Award (2004).
Prof. Zeleza has made a measurable impact through his research and academic work in intellectual history, African studies, gender studies, diaspora studies, human rights and African literature that has crossed traditional boundaries.
His impact as Vice-Chancellor includes the infrastructural expansion of USIU-Africa, the building of a Research Park and medical hospital, extensive linkages with programs in the United States, a green environment, and the involvement of students in the day-to-day management of the campus.
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