Webinar 2: Higher education and community engagement: Policy and Practice in East Africa
Introduction
The Inter-University Council for East Africa this year is celebrating 50 years of existence. To celebrate this milestone, the IUCEA will hold a webinar on 28th August under the theme: “Higher education and community engagement: Policy and Practice in East Africa” with the following speakers:
Moderator:
The Webinar will be moderated by Prof. Juma Shabani, the President of the Burundi National Commission for Higher Education and the Director of the Doctoral School at the University of Burundi.
Keynote Speaker:
The Webinar will feature a keynote presentation from Prof. Kallunde Pilly Sibuga, a professor of Agronomy from Sokoine University of Agriculture in Morogoro, Tanzania. She is renowned for her work linking research and practice with a particular focus on community outreach.
Panelists
As part of the webinar, Panelists will discuss the keynote presentation in the perspective of their relevant academic and industry experience. The Panelists include:
Dr. Emile Bienvenu, Ag. Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs, University of Rwanda, and the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Rwanda Standards Bureau (RSB).
Prof. Mohammed A. Sheikh, an Associate Professor of Environmental Analytical Chemistry and Ecotoxicology and the Head of Physical Science Research at the Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology.
Dr. Shivon Byamukama, the Managing Director, Babyl Rwanda, the largest digital health services provider in Rwanda with over one million registered users.
Prof. Christine Dranzoa is a zoologist and professor of wildlife management. She is the Vice-Chancellor of Muni University.
Speaker Biographies
Moderator: Prof. Juma Shabani
Prof. Shabani is the President of the Burundi National Commission for Higher Education and the Director of the Doctoral School at the University of Burundi. He is also the President of the International Conference on Quality assurance in Higher Education in Africa, and President of the Burundi Academy of Sciences and Technology, among other international assignments.
Prof. Shabani previously worked at UNESCO for 17 years as a Senior Specialist for Higher Education in Africa and as a Director of the UNESCO Harare and Bamako Cluster Offices. He also served as a UNESCO Representative to several countries and Regional Economic Communities
He held several senior positions including Deputy Secretary-General of the Association of African Universities; Vice-Rector of the University of Burundi, among several other positions. Prof. Shabani also served as a Vice President of the African Academy of Sciences; Vice- President of the African Mathematical Union, and a Director of the Virtual Institute for Higher Education in Africa.
Keynote Speaker: Prof. Kallunde Pilly Sibuga
Prof. Sibuga is a professor of Agronomy from Sokoine University of Agriculture in Morogoro, Tanzania. She is a consultant agronomist, crop management and protection specialist, trainer, and evaluator.
Prof. Sibuga has been actively involved in research and development and outreach activities. Her current research focus is on enhancing crop productivity using agro-ecological/organic practices in vegetable and cereal crops. She has participated as a Team Leader of 10 research projects (8 with international collaborators). She has published widely a total of about 55 articles in peer-reviewed journals and conference proceedings, contributed to six chapters in different books, and co-authored one book. She has Chaired and served as a member of the board of directors for various local and international organizations including the National Plant Protection Advisory Committee, Tanzania Forestry Research Institute, and Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority. Prof. Sibuga holds a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, a Master of Science and a Ph.D. in Crop Science.
Panelists:
Dr. Emile Bienvenu is the Ag. Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Research at University of Rwanda. He is also a Senior Lecturer at the University of Rwanda, College of Medicine and Health Sciences and serves as the University Director for Innovation since 2017.
Dr. Bienvenu has served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Rwanda Standards Bureau (RSB) since 2009.
Dr. Bienvenu is the Country Principal Investigator of two international research and innovation projects. Currently, he supervises a number of PhDs, and authored a number of papers in peer reviewed international Journals over the past 7 years. He holds a PhD in Medical Science specializing in Clinical Pharmacology from University of Gothenburg in Sweden.
Prof. Mohammed A. Sheikh is an Associate Professor of Environmental Analytical Chemistry and Ecotoxicology and the Head of Physical Science Research at the Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology.
Prof. Sheikh has authored over 40 peer reviewed scientific papers published in reputable scientific journals. He has served as a Team Leader and consultant on various multinational funded Research Projects. He is currently serving as a member of various research and Academic Governing Boards including International Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, among others.
Prof. Sheikh holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the University of Dar es Salaam, a Master of Science and a PhD in Environmental and Marine Sciences specialized in Environmental Analytical Chemistry and Ecotoxicology from the National University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa Japan.
Dr Shivon Byamukama is the Managing Director of Babyl Rwanda. She is responsible for implementing Babyl’s strategy in Rwanda. Previously, she served as a Company Secretary and Head of Corporate Affairs at Bank of Kigali. She also worked with the International Criminal Court (ICC) at the Hague, Netherlands and Glasgow Caledonian University.
Dr. Byamukama has also held senior several leadership positions in the public and private sector in Rwanda. She is one of the co-founders and shareholder of Falcon Capital Investments (FCI). She also serves on various boards including the Audit Committee of the Inter-University Council East Africa (IUCEA), MTN Mobile Money, Axis Pension, and Mayfair Insurance.
Dr. Byamukama has a PhD from Glasgow Caledonian University Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom, Bachelor of Laws Degree from Makerere University, Uganda, and a Diploma in Legal Practice at the Law Development Centre, Kampala, Uganda.
Prof. Christine Dranzoa is the Vice Chancellor, Muni University, Arua, Uganda. She is a Professor of Wildlife Management, she represents Uganda Vice Chancellors Forum on the Higher Education Students Financing Board and a privileged member of the Uganda Education White paper committee (2019).
Prof. Dranzoa was the first female Deputy Director, School of Graduate Studies at Makerere University from 2005-2010. She was the founder and the Head of Department of Wildlife & Animal Resources Management (WARM), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Makerere University. She was a member of the Senate at Busitema University, Uganda. She also served as Chairperson, Forum for African Women Educationalist (FAWE).
Prof. Dranzoa has received several awards and accolades for her transformative leadership and mentorship. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Zoology, Master of Science in Zoology, PhD in Biology. She also holds a Diploma in Modern Management and Administration, and she is a Fellow of Uganda National Academy of Science (FUNAS).