The United States International University-Africa (USIU-Africa) has officially ushered in a new era of leadership with the installation of Ambassador Dennis Awori as Chancellor and Prof. Mwenda Ntarangwi as Vice Chancellor. The ceremonial event marked a significant milestone in the university’s commitment to visionary leadership, innovation, and transformative education.
In his inaugural address, Ambassador Awori described USIU-Africa as “a pan-African university— a beacon of hope and a cradle of possibility,” emphasizing its diverse student body and its mission to shape future leaders. He paid tribute to outgoing Chancellor Dr. Manu Chandaria, lauding his pivotal role in establishing the Chandaria School of Business and mentoring students over the years.
Awori pledged to continue the legacy of excellence, highlighting the university’s role in equipping young Africans with skills to address pressing challenges. “Education today must go beyond knowledge transfer—it must cultivate critical thinking, ethical leadership, and adaptability,” he said, noting the importance of innovation in an era defined by artificial intelligence and rapid technological change.
Professor Ntarangwi reaffirmed the university’s dedication to lifelong learning, stressing the need to prepare students for a dynamic global landscape. “Lifelong learning enables our students to remain adaptable and open to new technologies and methodologies,” he said.
USIU-Africa’s new leadership emphasized strategic investment in emerging fields such as Sustainability and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG), ensuring students are equipped to confront global issues like climate change, social equity, and environmental degradation.
The university is also investing in platforms like the Innovation and Incubation Center and its flagship “Design Your Future” Integrated Innovation Pipeline Program, which nurture student-led ventures from concept to impact.
Together, Awori and Ntarangwi envision a transformative path forward for USIU-Africa—one grounded in innovation, excellence, and integrity. Their shared mission is to empower students not only as professionals but as change-makers across the African continent and beyond.
