This archive report was first published on 19 August 2019.
Prof Paul Tiyambe Zeleza: A Life of Learning ¶
Prof Paul Tiyambe Zeleza, the vice-chancellor of the United States International University-Africa, has lived in Kenya for over 30 years. A renowned scholar, he has published over 20 books, short stories, and critical essays.
With a career spanning decades, Prof Zeleza has witnessed significant changes in academia. He spoke to myNetwork about the emerging shifts in the scholarly world and the future he foresees.
Published on August 19, 2019
Prof Zeleza has published 27 books, over 300 academic articles, and numerous essays. His book, A Modern Economic History of Africa, won the Noma Award for Publishing in Africa in 1994, a prestigious accolade at the time.
When asked about the dynamics in higher education, Prof Zeleza noted that the number of universities in Africa has increased significantly. In 1972, when he joined college, there were only 170 institutions in Africa. By 2018, this number had risen to 1,682. While it is now easier to get a university education in Africa, Prof Zeleza expressed concerns about the quality of education due to inadequate resources and a high student-to-lecturer ratio.
Prof Zeleza has also learned valuable lessons from his academic tours around the world. He emphasized the importance of staying committed to excellence and quality, and being passionate about one's work. He also highlighted the need for independence and resilience in a competitive world.
Regarding the challenges facing universities, Prof Zeleza noted that funding remains a significant issue. The per capita expenditure per student has decreased drastically over the years, leading to a decrease in the quality of education. He also expressed concerns about the introduction of more courses to attract learners, which has lowered the quality of education.
Prof Zeleza is optimistic about the new competency-based curriculum (CBC), which tests how well students have mastered a particular topic through continuous assessment. He believes that this approach will lead to better learning outcomes and reduce anxiety caused by exams.
As the vice-chancellor of USIU, Prof Zeleza engages with the university community regularly, using both formal and informal channels. He believes in servant leadership and values the importance of interacting with students and staff.
Prof Zeleza's message to young professionals is to constantly adapt to the changing economic landscape. He emphasizes the importance of resilience and learning from failure. He also recommends investing at least 10,000 hours in a particular field to truly succeed.
Outside of academia, Prof Zeleza enjoys art, theatre, and watching movies from around the world. He also likes to visit museums and spend time with his family and friends.
