Meet the first Kenyan chancellor of UK’s University of Creative Arts

Prof Magdalene Odundo

Kenyan born Prof Magdalene Odundo was recently appointed the chancellor of United Kingdom’s University of Creative Arts, the first specialist arts university in the UK. After an illustrious career as a creative, she now occupies one of the highest position in art academia. She takes over at a time when governments around the world regard art almost as a bother, with art often being the first victim of funding cuts, and in some other instances such as within the Kenyan education system, being almost erased from curriculums. In a candid interview with the Sunday Standard writer Daniel Wesangula, Prof Odundo talks about her much celebrated position, life as an African academic abroad at a time of African awakening as well as the importance of maintaining art courses in all levels of education. She also tells us about some of her most memorable art exhibitions in her career as an artist that spans decades.

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