The Mountains of the Moon University (MMU) Chancellor, Prof. Edward Bitanywaine Rugumayo has appointed with immediate effect Prof. Dr. Pius Coxwell Achanga as substantive Vice-Chancellor (VC) and Prof. Dr. John Massa Kasenene, as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics & Outreach) of MMU as a Public University.
The appointments follow the provisions of Section 31 (2) & Section 32 (1) of the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act (2001) as amended, that empower the Chancellor, on the recommendation of the University Council, to appoint the Vice-Chancellor and Deputy Vice Chancellor of a Public University.
In a memo dated 4th October 2022 to all staff, students, and all other stakeholders of Mountains of the Moon University signed by Dr. Edmond Kagambe, the University Secretary (US) states; “On behalf of the University Council, Top University Management, and the MMU fraternity, we welcome and congratulate these top leaders of the University and pledge to offer them our full support, as we develop and grow MMU.”
The President of the Republic of Uganda H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni appointed Prof. Edward Bitanywaine Rugumayo as Chancellor of MMU on 18th August 2022 for a four-term.
Mountains of the Moon University is the 10th Public University in Uganda found in Fort Portal Tourism City that became a Public University effective 1st July 2022 established under The Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act under Statutory Instrument (S.I). No. 2 of 2022 of Parliament of Uganda.
Who is Prof. Dr. Pius Coxwell Achanga – Vice-Chancellor, MMU
Professor Pius Coxwell Achanga was the acting Vice-Chancellor of MMU having been appointed by The Hon Minister of Education and Sports on the 25th of January 2019, to chair (under the schedule of the Vice-Chancellor), a 4-Member Taskforce to guide the transition of the private University to Public status.
He is the Director of Quality Assurance and Accreditation at the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE). At NCHE, he oversees the licensure and establishment, planning, development, and strategic guidance of all Higher Education Training Institutions in the country. Prior to joining NCHE, he was a Research Associate at the Institute for Manufacturing (IfM), School of Engineering, University of Cambridge (UK).
He was appointed Adjunct Professor at Gandhi Institute of Technology and Management (GITAM), India. He holds a Ph.D. in Manufacturing Systems (process optimization using fuzzy logic); and a Master of Science Degree in Manufacturing Management and Information Systems both from Cranfield University (UK); a Bachelor of Business Information Technology from the University of Hull in the (UK); and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) from Canterbury Christ Church University (UK).
Who is Prof. Dr. John Massa Kasenene – Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics & Outreach), MMU
Prof. Dr. John Massa. Kasenene was the Vice Chancellor of Mountains of the Moon University Private from 2011-2022. He was the Principal Academic and Administrative Officer of the University (CEO). He provided leadership, academic and administrative functions to the whole University. Before joining MMU he was a Professor of Forestry Ecology, the Department of Botany, Makerere University, and a Senior Research and Training Fellow at Makerere University Biological Field Station in Kibale Forest National Park.
Kasenene holds a Ph.D. in Forest Ecology from Michigan State University, East Lansing USA; a Master of Science in Plant Ecology, a Bachelor of Science, and a Diploma in Education both from Makerere University, Uganda. He also holds a Certificate in Primatology, Front Royal College, Virginia, USA; Certificate in Field Methods, Costarica, Virginia USA.
Prof. Dr. John Kasenene has been a lecturer for Higher Education since 1982 to date in areas of specialty of Conservation Biology, Community and ecosystem ecology, restoration ecology, natural resource ecology and conservation, plant energy, and ecological and environmental assessment methods and techniques.
Prof. Dr. Kasenene has served in various sectors as a chair Board of Trustees Planning and Monitoring Committee of Uganda Wildlife Authority, 2003-2009; Member Technical Committee Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, 2000-2003; Chair Review Conservation Agreement Committee Uganda Wildlife Authority, 2004; Coordinator Research Funding and Research on Natural Resources, NORAD program, MUK, 1998-2001; Member of National Examination Board [UNEB, 2013 to date; Chairperson Board of Governors Ruteete SSS, 2012 to date and Member of Governing Council Uganda Technical College, Kichwamba, 2010 to date.
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