Busitema University Vice Chancellor appointed UNEB Chairperson

The Vice Chancellor of Busitema University, Prof Mary Okwakol has been appointed chairperson of Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) following the resignation of Mr Fagil Mandy.

Prof Okwakol will act as UNEB chairperson until the appointment of the substantive chairperson by President Museveni.

PROFILE: Who is Prof. Mary Okwakol

Prof Mary Okwakol is the pioneer Vice Chancellor of Busitema University.

She holds a B.Sc in Botany/Zoology, M.Sc and PhD in Zoology from Makerere University, with further training at the University of Aberdeen, UK.

She is a Fellow of the Royal Entomological Society of London. Prior to becoming substantive Vice Chancellor, Busitema University, she served as Deputy Vice Chancellor of Gulu University.

While at Gulu university, she spearheaded the development of a unique Bachelor of Agriculture course and participated in the development of the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery course.

As a pioneer in several fields.

Mary is a lady with several “firsts” in her life. She is the first woman Vice Chancellor of a Public University in Uganda.

The first woman Professor of Zoology at Makerere University, and indeed many other “firsts” in her career as a scientist

She was the first woman member of Trustees of the Uganda National Parks (UNP) in 40 years, during which time she led to merging process of UNP and Game department into the present Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA).

Researcher

As a researcher, she was among the initiators and developers a GEF/UNEP project on Conservation of Below Ground Biodiversity for sustainable land production in seven tropical countries: Brazil, Cote d’Ivoire, Kenya, India, Indonesia, Mexico and Uganda.

Her contributions towards development have been recognized with several awards from various institutions.

Scientist

Prof Okwakol is among the few women scientists in Uganda who have contributed immensely to the advancement of the sciences and she stands out as an icon of science who in many respects deserves recognition.

She joined the category of Biological Sciences of the Uganda National Academy of Sciences in 2009.