Author: Rowena Quinan

Professor Sarah Ssali is the newly appointed First Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic Affairs) at Makerere University, making her only the second woman in the institution’s century-long history to hold this office. A distinguished social scientist with a PhD in International Health Studies from Queen Margaret University, Scotland, Professor Ssali also holds a Master’s in Gender Studies and a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences from Makerere University. Since joining Makerere in 2003, she has made significant contributions as a lecturer, Dean of the School of Women and Gender Studies, Director of the Institute of Gender and Development Studies, and through leadership roles within governing and advisory boards. Renowned for her research on public policy, health systems, HIV/AIDS, post-conflict settings, and marginalized groups, Professor Ssali has published widely and influenced academic discourse in these areas. In her new role, she aims to strengthen the research-teaching nexus at Makerere, fostering high-quality, relevant, and globally competitive graduates who will drive Africa’s transformation.

Prof Francis W Petersen is a visionary leader in the South African higher education sector and the Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of Pretoria. He has previously held esteemed positions as Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of the Free State and Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Cape Town. Prof Petersen holds a PhD in Engineering from Stellenbosch University. His international speaking engagements include prominent conferences worldwide, contributing to the global discourse on higher education and research. Currently, he is the Chairperson of the Board of Directors of Universities South Africa (USAf).

Dr Kwezi Mzilikazi is Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Strategic Partnerships at Rhodes University, providing strategic leadership in research, innovation, postgraduate performance, and global partnerships. A Zoologist by training with a PhD in evolutionary physiology, she has a deep interest in human capacity development to advance South Africa’s knowledge economy. She has previously held leadership roles at Nelson Mandela University and the National Research Foundation. Dr Mzilikazi serves on the Presidential PhD Programme advisory group, is Deputy Chair of South Africa’s National Governing Council of the International Science Council, and a lifetime member of the Zoological Society of Southern Africa.

Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, PhD, FGA, is the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana. She is a Professor of Linguistics and an experienced university administrator, with over 22 years of experience in the higher education sector. Professor Amfo previously served as the Pro Vice-Chancellor with responsibility for Academic and Student Affairs, the Dean of the School of Languages, and the Head of the Department of Linguistics, of the same university. She is the Vice-Chairman of the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA). Prof. Amfo is a Partnership Board member of the Worldwide Universities Network (WUN) and a member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities Governing Board.
 

Since September 2023, Dr. Laurent Bochereau works as research and innovation counsellor at the EU Delegation to the African Union where he contributes to strengthen EU-AU cooperation in the areas of higher education, research and innovation.

He gained a Laureate from the Ecole Polytechnique, a Master’s degree from the University of California and a PhD from the University of Paris Sorbonne. After several years working as a research project leader at INRAE, he served two years in the French Ministry for Research. He joined the European Commission in 1995 where he occupied several middle management positions and had several postings in the EU Delegations in Washington, Beijing and Moscow.

Professor Samuel Tshehla is a distinguished academic administrator and mathematician, currently serving as the Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Strategy, Global and Corporate Affairs at Stellenbosch University, a role he assumed in February 2025. Prior to this, he served with distinction as the Dean of the Faculty of Military Science (Military Academy) at Stellenbosch University from 2012 to early 2025, providing strategic leadership over teaching, research, talent management, and internationalization initiatives. Professor Tshehla holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematical Sciences (1997), an Honours in Applied Mathematics (1999), and a Master’s in Applied Mathematics (2001) from the University of the North (now University of Limpopo). In 2009, he completed a PhD in Industrial Mathematics at the University of Cape Town, specializing in fluid dynamics, and most recently earned an MBA in Executive Management from UCT in 2025. His career began as a junior lecturer in Applied Mathematics, followed by an appointment at the Department of Water Affairs as a flood frequency analyst, before joining the Military Academy as lecturer and later Secundus Dean.

Peter Lennie is the Executive Director of the Worldwide Universities Network (WUN), and the Jay Last Distinguished University Professor Emeritus at University of Rochester. Before taking up his position at WUN he served at the University of Rochester as Provost, and earlier as Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Sciences and Engineering. During his time as Provost he drove a major expansion of the university’s international engagement. His scientific work focused on the brain mechanisms underlying vision. He has served as chair of National Institutes of Health review panels, and of the National Research Council Committee on Vision.

Professor Jan Palmowski has been Secretary-General of The Guild of European Research-Intensive Universities since its creation in 2016. He was Head of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities at King’s College London (2008-12), and Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Academic Vice-President at the University of Warwick from 2013 to 2018. He is Professor at the University of Warwick, and adjunct Professor at the University of Oslo. ​​​​A frequent commentator for a range of publications (most notably the Times Higher Education and Research Professional), in his academic capacity Jan is currently working on research and higher education policy.

A Professor of Planning and a former Dean, Professor Jenny Dixon is seconded to the role of U21 Provost from the University of Auckland, where she was previously Deputy Vice-Chancellor Strategic Engagement. In her role as Provost, she leads the network’s strategic direction, working with Presidents, Vice-Chancellors, and senior leaders from 30 member universities worldwide. Jenny drives opportunities for collaboration and innovation in global education, research, and leadership, ensuring U21’s work delivers real impact. She also convenes peer and steering groups, building connections that strengthen U21’s collective influence and reach across the higher education sector.

Professor Ernest Aryeetey is an Emeritus Professor at the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER), University of Ghana, and is widely recognized as one of Africa’s leading development economists. Until 31st July 2024, he served as the Secretary-General of the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA), where he was instrumental in promoting research collaboration among Africa’s flagship universities. Professor Aryeetey previously held the position of Vice-Chancellor at the University of Ghana from 2010 to 2016, leading institutional transformation and advancing the university’s reputation as a research-intensive institution. Earlier, he held senior roles as Director of ISSER (2003–2010) and served as Senior Fellow and Director of the Africa Growth Initiative at the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C. Professor Aryeetey earned a BA in Economics with Statistics from the University of Ghana, an MSc in Regional Planning from KNUST, and a PhD from the University of Dortmund, Germany. In July 2017, he was awarded an honorary degree by the University of Sussex in recognition of his contributions to African higher education and the study of African economies.