Author: Rowena Quinan

Professor Bolanle Oboh is a distinguished Professor of Genetics at the University of Lagos and currently serves as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics & Research). In this capacity, she provides strategic leadership and oversight for the University’s academic affairs, encompassing curriculum development, quality assurance, academic administration, student admissions, and advancement of the research agenda across faculties. Prior to her current appointment, she served as the Director of Research and Innovation within the Research Management Office, where she led initiatives in research capacity building, pre- and post-award grant management, research promotion, and governance frameworks aimed at enhancing institutional research impact. Professor Oboh also holds the position of Director and Coordinator of the TETFund Centre of Excellence for Biodiversity Conservation and Ecosystem Management (TCEBCEM), where she spearheads multidisciplinary research efforts focusing on sustainable biodiversity conservation, environmental resilience, and knowledge generation for ecological sustainability.

Prof. Sizwe Mabizela is Vice-Chancellor of Rhodes University and the Board Chair of the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA). He previously served as Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic and Student Affairs and senior lecturer at the University of Cape Town in mathematics and applied mathematics. Prof Mabizela is a Mathematician, and his research field is Abstract Approximation Theory, a subfield of Functional Analysis. He obtained his MSc and BSc Hons cum laude in mathematics at the University of Fort Hare, where he was the recipient of the Abe Bailey Travel scholarship and the CSIR postgraduate scholarship. He received his PhD in mathematics at the Pennsylvania State University, US, where he was the recipient of the EOCIIE Overseas Scholarship and the Penn State-UCT Share Fellowship. He is a professional member of many international mathematical societies including the SA, American and Japanese Mathematical Societies, and is a member of the Association of Black Scientists, Engineers & Technologists.

Prof. Tshilidzi Marwala has been the Rector of the United Nations University (UNU) and Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations since March 2023, and a member of the UN Secretary-General’s Scientific Advisory Board since August 2023. Marwala is a scholar and thought leader with multi-disciplinary research interests that include the theory and application of AI to engineering, computer science, finance, social science, and medicine. He was the Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of Johannesburg.  He holds a Bachelor of Science from Case Western Reserve University and a PhD in AI and Engineering from the University of Cambridge.

Professor John Gyapong is the Secretary-General of the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA), bringing to the role a distinguished record of leadership, scholarship, and commitment to advancing research and higher education across Africa. Before his current appointment, he served as Vice Chancellor of the University of Health and Allied Sciences from 2016 to 2022, and as Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Development at the University of Ghana from 2011 to 2016. He has also held the position of Adjunct Professor of Global Health at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. From 1987 to 2010, Professor Gyapong practised as a medical doctor in Ghana, during which period he rose to become Director of Research and Development at the Ghana Health Service, where he oversaw health systems and implementation research. Professor Gyapong has made significant contributions to the higher education landscape in Africa, as well as to global research governance and university leadership. He serves on several international research granting bodies and review panels. His primary field of expertise is the epidemiology of infectious diseases, particularly neglected tropical diseases. He is a Fellow of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences, the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons, and the Faculty of Public Health of the Royal College of Physicians.

Hon. Dr. Monica Musenero Masanza, DVM, MS, MPH, is a renowned Ugandan scientist, and epidemiologist currently serving as the Minister for Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) in the Office of the President of Uganda. Prior to joining the Cabinet Dr Monica was a Senior Presidential Advisor on Epidemics a role which plunged her at the forefront of Uganda ‘s response and management of the COVID-19 pandemic. As Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI), Dr. Musenero has repositioned science, technology, and innovation as drivers of socio-economic transformation. She has led flagship programs including E-Mobility, Pathogen Economy, Infrastructure Innovation, Industry 4.0+, Productivity Acceleration & Import Substitution, Space & Aeronautics, and Support Services. Under her leadership, Uganda has established landmark infrastructure such as the Kiira Vehicle Plant, Deep-Tech Centre, the Engineering Development and Innovation Centre, Coffee Innovation Hubs, and the Biosciences Park, a cutting-edge initiative specializing in vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutics R&D, capacity development and manufacturing.      

Dr. Lorna Magara has been actively engaged in the world of education for over 37 years. She firmly believes education is a transformational process that impacts the whole of life and is a critical determinant in forming the character and quality of society. She holds a BA in Education from Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda; an MA in Organizational Leadership & Management from Uganda Christian University, Mukono; and a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Advanced Educational Leadership from Regent University, USA. She also holds a certificate from the Haggai International Institute for Advanced Leadership. Dr. Lorna Magara’s passion and ability to develop effective leadership and management systems and structures have seen her serve on several Governing Bodies of Education organizations. She is currently Chairperson of the Makerere University Council, now in her second term (2018–2022; 2023–2026), where she continues to provide strategic leadership to Uganda’s premier university, advancing academic excellence, research, and societal impact.

Professor Barnabas Nawangwe is the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University. He is responsible for the overall academic, administrative, and financial affairs of the institution.

Professor Nawangwe is an academic, architect, researcher, publisher and public administrator, who has significantly contributed to the transformation of Makerere University. Committed to the realization of a strong, powerful and resilient institution, Professor Nawangwe is renowned for the catchy phrase- Unlocking the potential of Makerere University.

Professor Nawangwe was appointed Vice Chancellor of Makerere University in 2017. Prior to his appointment, he had served as the Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Finance and Administration (September 2013 to August 2017).  He served as Principal of the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology-CEDAT (2011-2013), Dean of the Faculty of Technology (2002-2011) and Head of the Department of Architecture from its inception in 1987 until 2002.

He chairs boards of several national, regional and international professional bodies. He serves as the Chairman of the Board of the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) He is the Patron of the Resilient Africa Network (RAN). He is the Director of the UK-based Worldwide Universities Network (WUN). He is also a member of Executive Committee of the Council of the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU), a unique network of over 500 universities in 50 countries dedicated to building a better world through higher education.

A statistician by training with a wide range of experience in quantitative and qualitative approaches to data and methods. Prof. Wamala has served in various capacities at Makerere University: (i) Head Department of Planning and Applied Statistics, School of Statistics and Planning (SSP), Makerere University (ii) Dean, SSP, Makerere University, (iii) Deputy Director, Innovations Development and Partnerships, Directorate of Research and Graduate (DRGT), Makerere University. In addition to the aforementioned responsibilities, Robert served on various Committees of the University including, University Senate, Makerere University Research and Innovation Fund (MakRIF), Makerere University Grants Administration and Support Unit (GAMSU), Board of Research and Graduate Training, and Intellectual Property Management Committee (IPMC). I have also served in various capacities elsewhere including: (i) Member of Board of Directors, Uganda Bureau of Statistics, (ii) Member of Advisory Board, African Centre of Excellence in Data Science.