Visiting UNESCO director bags honorary PhD

By Ekellem Desmond Mbong in Yaounde

The director general of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Irina Bokova has been awarded an honorary doctor of philosophy, PhD degree in science of education.

Irina Bokova was conferred the honoris causa last Monday by minister of higher education and  chancellor of academic orders, Jacques Fame while the rector of the University of Yaounde I, Maurice Aurélien Sosso, robed the laureate in academic style.

Speaking at the special convocation ceremony, the secretary general of the University of Yaounde I, Jean-Emmanuel Pondi noted that the title was being accorded to the UNESCO boss for her endless services to advance quality education particularly in Cameroon and the world large. Pondi indicated that the decision had been arrived at on July 29, 2014, during the board of directors meeting of the Higher Teachers Training College of the University of Yaounde I.

Going by University of Yaounde I records, Irina Bokova appears to be the first female entity to be accorded such an honorary title from the institution.

Quite satisfied with the award, Irina Bokova thanked the university community for making her a rare laureate of Cameroon’s oldest university and pledged to join in the effort to make Cameroon become an emerging nation by 2035.

It is worth noting that as director general of UNESCO, 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.

Synopsis of Bokova’s 2-day visit

Irina Georgieva Bokova’s 48 hour official visit to Cameroon which began last Monday was pregnant with activities.

She arrived the nation’s capital on Monday September 15, after taking part in a UNESCO international prize award ceremony in Equatorial Guinea. 

Like her predecessor Koichiro Matsuura who visited Cameroon in January 2009, she reaffirmed and attested the good relations existing between UNESCO and Cameroon for 54 years.

While in Cameroon, Bokova was received in an audience by president Paul Biya at Unity Palace on Tuesday. During the audience, both personalities discussed issues related to bilateral cooperation between Cameroon and the UN agency.

Paul Biya was grateful to the UNESCO boss for transforming the UNESCO country office in Cameroon to a regional office for Central Africa; an office which she inaugurated the same day after the launch with the president and members of government.

Bokova equally took off time to discuss with the first lady, Chantal Biya who has been a UNESCO ambassador for education and social inclusion since November 2008.

Before visiting the presidency, Bokova had earlier made a stopover at the Chantal Biya International Reference Center where she was received by the executive director of the institution, Stephane Biatcha.

She equally had a series of working sessions with representatives of UN agencies in Cameroon, the prime minister; Philemon Yang, ministers and representatives of state institutions in charge of UNESCO programs.

Bokova could not forgo her visit to the Higher Teacher Training College, ENS, Yaounde; created in the sixties with the support of UNESCO.