The Rector of the Pan-African University (PAU), less than a month after his investiture, attended his very first graduation ceremony for The Pan African University Life and Earth Sciences Institute (PAULESI), which was jointly held with the graduation ceremony for students of the host University of Ibadan during the75th anniversary of the institution.

Jean Koulidiati is already at the coalface! Installed on 27^th October in Yaoundé as Rector of the Pan-African University by the African Union Commissioner in charge for Education, Science and Technology and Innovation (ESTI) His Excellency Mohammed BELHOCINE and of the honorable Minister of State, Minister of Higher Education of the Republic of Cameroon, Prof.  Jacques Fame Ndongo, the Rector wasted no time in getting to grips with his very busy agenda as the head of this prestigious institution.  It's time for action.   That is the meaning of his presence at the PAULESI PhD students' graduation ceremony on 17 November. Professor Koulidiati has the arduous task of directing the five thematic institutes hosted in existing institutions located in the five geographical regions of Africa.

True to the old adage that goes as “honour to whom honour is due” the delicate task of presenting this year's graduates fell to Professor Jean Koulidiati. Thus, it was only logical that the Rector of the PAU should introduce the 12 lucky graduates of this year's class in the following words: 

“Chancellor, in the name of the Pan African University of Life and Earth Sciences institute, and by the authority  of Senate, I present to you  the persons standing, and those absent for sufficient cause, and for whom I stand proxy, who have been found worthy both in character and in learning to be admitted to the various Degrees of Master of the Pan African University Life and Earth Sciences Institute, University of Ibadan”. The presentation earned the graduates a round of applause from the audience.

Other notable guests at the ceremony included Dr Monica Idinoba, who represented the African Union Commissioner in charge for Education, Science and Technology and Innovation (ESTI), Dr Gilles Ogadanga Ndiaye, who is in charge of academic and student affairs and Chancelle Bilampassi, the PAU Communication Officer.

The twelve PhD degrees awarded by The Pan African University Life and Earth Sciences Institute (PAULESI) come from the following fields of study:  Environmental Management, Mineral Exploration, Petroleum Geoscience, Reproductive Health, Reproductive Biology, Plant Breeding.  The PAU is proud to have equipped these young Africans with the intellectual, managerial and entrepreneurial skills that will undoubtedly contribute to the building of their respective countries, but also as agents of change.  

For further information, please contact:

Ms. Claudette Chancelle BILAMPASSI MOUTSATSI |

PAU Communication Officer| Department of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation| African Union Commission| E-mail: BilampassiC@africa-union.org| Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.