Prof Kabaji appointed Chancellor of Mount Kigali University in Rwanda
Prof Egara Kabaji, the newly appointed Chancellor of Mount Kigali University in Rwanda.
What you need to know:
- Based in Rwanda, Mount Kigali University was formerly a campus of Mount Kenya University (MKU).
- It gained autonomy in 2023, becoming an independent institution with its own governance and academic framework.
Mount Kigali University has appointed Kenyan scholar and literary communicator Prof Egara Kabaji of Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology as its new chancellor.
Based in Rwanda, Mount Kigali University was formerly a campus of Mount Kenya University (MKU). It gained autonomy in 2023, becoming an independent institution with its own governance and academic framework.
On Saturday, the university’s Board of Directors led by chairman Simon Gicharu announced Prof Kabaji’s appointment.
Philanthropic efforts
The team said the chancellor is expected to lead in advocacy and external engagement, promoting the university to donors, partners and stakeholders while supporting fundraising and philanthropic efforts.
“Prof Kabaji is an esteemed academic and thought leader currently based at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology in Kenya, where he serves in the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication,” Mr Gicharu said in a statement.
“He is widely recognised for his contributions to literature, cultural studies and academic leadership. His scholarly work, administrative experience, and dedication to higher education make him highly suited to lead Mount Kigali University through its next phase of development,” Mr Gicharu said.
The university also noted that Prof Kabaji will serve as a patron of creative writing to foster collaboration with other institutions and organisations.
His appointment takes effect on August 1.
Academic credentials
Prof Kabaji holds a PhD in Folk Media and Communication from the University of South Africa (Unisa), an MBA in Strategic Management from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), a Master of Arts in Literary Studies from Kenyatta University and a Bachelor of Education in Literature and English from the same institution.
Mount Kigali University entered the Rwandan market in 2010 initially offering health sciences, business and related programmes.
Its success attracted other Kenyan institutions such as Kenyatta University and JKUAT to open campuses in Kigali, although those have since closed.