Prof Olive Mugenda honoured for outstanding leadership in higher education

Prof Olive Mugenda was recognised for her outstanding contributions to Africa's development through institutional transformation and creation of an African Entrepreneurial University model with Development relevance. (Photo:File/Standard)

Kenyatta University Vice Chancellor Prof Olive Mugenda has received a prestigious African leadership award in higher education.

Prof Mugenda became the first woman to win the Impact Research and Science in Sub-Saharan Africa Award for her outstanding contribution to the education sector.

She received the award plus Sh1.5 million during the 11th Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) in Namibia.

The award ceremony was co-hosted by the Government of Namibia and University of Namibia.

Mugenda was recognised for her outstanding contributions to Africa's development through institutional transformation and creation of an African Entrepreneurial University model with Development relevance.

RUFORUM noted that Mugenda had made significant contribution not only to higher education but also to Africa's development.

Mugenda beat six other contestants in a competitive process presided over by an independent panel of six reputable international evaluators.

"She was the overall winner of the 2015 IMPRESSA Award competition for Excellence in University Leadership and Management and Capacity Development," said the panel.

The panel noted that Mugenda had overseen various initiatives that help to equip entrepreneurial leaders with specialist skills and knowledge.

The award which is in its third round and is awarded every two years was witnessed by some 200 delegates drawn from over 45 RUFORUM member universities across 22 countries.

The membership includes Vice Chancellors and other key invited stakeholders from Development Partners, Private sector, Civil Society and Practitioners in the Agricultural sector.