Saturday, December 27, 2008

Florida Karani - Chancellor of Maseno University


On 17 December 2008, President Kibaki appointed Prof Florida Amakobe Karani the Chancellor of Maseno University during the institution’s eighth graduation ceremony. With this appointment, Prof Karani makes history as Kenya's first ever female Chancellor of a public university.

Prior to her new appointment, Prof Karani was the Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academic Affairs at the University of Nairobi, a position she held from May 1994 to June 2004.

Prof Florida Karani has a long-standing academic career in the University of Nairobi. She started out as a lecturer in 1969 and over the years rose through the ranks to attain the position of associate professor of educational communications and technology in 1988. She later went on to become a full professor of education in 1996.

Prof Karani has also held senior administrative positions at the University of Nairobi's College of Education and External Studies. She was the College Principal from 1988 to 1994 before being appointed DVC Academic Affairs. Additionally, in 1988 she became the founding Dean of the Faculty of External Studies.

Florida Karani is an accomplished author and presenter with several peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations to her name. On the international arena, she has been involved in training of trainers for the UN Economic Commission for Africa and UNICEF. In 2002 she was appointed a member of the Africa Regional Scientific Committee of the UNESCO Forum on Higher Education, Research and Knowledge.

Closer home, Prof Karani has held membership positions in the Inter University Council of East Africa and Kenya's Commission for Higher Education. In 1994 she received the Order of the Grand Warrior of Kenya (OGW) presidential award in recognition of her contribution towards improving the quality of higher education in Kenya.

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Top French Honours for Prof Miriam Were

Congratulations are in order for Prof Miriam Were on being awarded the title of "Knight in the National Order of the Legion of Honour" by the French President.
"Head of the National AIDS Control Council Miriam Were has once again been honoured for her contribution in fighting HIV and AIDS. A letter obtained by The Nation says France’s President Nicolas Sarkozy had signed a decree conferring upon Prof Were the title of Knight in the National Order of the Legion of Honour. The letter was signed by Mr Alain Joyandet, a top French government official. This award is considered the highest decoration in France. "
Source: Daily Nation, Thursday 18 December 2008