Sleeping sickness quest wins JKUAT Chancellor AU prestigious excellence award

Prof. Joseph Mathu Ndung'u, Chancellor of JKUAT. He won the African Union Prestigious Excellence Award 2019. [Photo Courtesy]

The Chancellor of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) Prof. Joseph Mathu Ndung'u has won the 2019 Prestigious Excellence Award.

Prof Ndung'u bagged the African Union Excellence award owing to his contributions to research and control of Tsetse fly and Trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness).

He was selected by a committee of the International Scientific Council for Trypanosomiasis Research and Control (ISCTRC) which honours individuals who make outstanding contributions towards the council's goals.

Prof. Ndung'u was selected for “Spearheading the Development of New Diagnostics Tools for Neglected Tropical Diseases,” says the African Union’s Director, Inter African Bureau for Animal Resources (IBAR), Prof. Ahmed El-Sawalhy.

Ndung'u who is a professor of Immunopathology of Sleeping Sickness is the head of a Geneva-based foundation which combats neglected tropical diseases like sleeping sickness.

"The recipients of the awards exemplified excellence and are representatives of the best in their fields. They have consistently excelled in their positions and demonstrated integrity and a strong commitment to the mission and values of ISCTRC," said the statement from AU.

JKUAT Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Victoria Wambui Ngumi congratulated the Chancellor for the achievement stating that the award has brought glory to the institution and was being celebrated by everyone. “We are all happy for him,” she said.

In 2009, Prof. Ndung'u was honoured with a gold medal by the African Union for his solid contribution to research, control, and eradication of sleeping sickness.?