University of Yaounde I honours UNESCO Director

Doctor Irina Bokova was conferred with the degree of Doctor Honoris Causa on September 16, 2014 in Yaounde.

Authorities of the University of Yaounde I, precisely those at the Higher Teachers Training College in Yaounde, Department of Science of Education yesterday September 16, 2014 awarded the UNESCO Director General, Irina Bokova with the degree of Doctor Honoris Causa in Science of Education from the University of Yaounde I.

She is the first female authority to be conferred with that honorary degree at the University of Yaounde I.

In the presences of a host of government ministers, members of the diplomatic corps, university dons and the student community, the Minister of Higher Education, Chancellor of Academic Orders, Professor Jacques Fame Ndongo handed the Bulgarian dignitary her degree of Doctor Honoris Causa while the Rector of the University of Yaounde I, Professor Maurice Aurélien Sosso, dressed her in the regalia that befits her new title.

Before granting the honorific title to the UNESCO boss, the Secretary General of the University of Yaounde I, Jean-Emmanuel Pondi said it was a major decision taken on July, 29, 2014 during the Board of Directors meeting of the Higher Teachers Training College in which the Department of Science of Education confirmed and validated the conferring of Mrs Irina Bokova with the title of Doctor Honoris Causa in recognition of her endless services to advance quality education in the world, in general and Cameroon in particular.

While Prof Maurice Aurélien Sosso noted that Doctor Irina Bokova has received the honorary title for the 20th time over five years, the Director of the Higher Teachers Training College, in an eulogy focused on why the UNESCO boss was honored by the institution.

As Director General of UNESCO, he said Irina Bokova is actively engaged in international efforts to advance quality education, gender equality, cultural dialogue and scientific cooperation for sustainable development and is leading UNESCO as a global advocate for safety of journalists and freedom of expression.

According to Jacques Fame Ndongo, the visions of the UNESCO boss are not different from that of Cameroon’s Head of State for an emerging Cameroon particularly in the domain of education and sustainable development.

Visibly happy, Doctor Irina Bokova said the day was special with many pleasant surprises. As she thanked the university community for making her one amongst them, Irina Bokova said the title signified a new responsibility in joining Cameroon to become an emerging nation by 2035.