A section of the big names at ACDE 2024 Conference after the handover ceremony.
Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology’s Prof. Solomon Shibairo has officially been inaugurated as the President of the African Council for Distance Education (ACDE), a position he will serve for the next three (3) years. The outgoing President, Prof. Goski Alabi, handed over the instruments of work to Prof. Shibairo on 27th March, 2024, during the 7th triennial ACDE 2024 conference hosted at MMUST. The historic handover ceremony, which also involved the installation of a new board, was attended by dignitaries, academia, and representatives from various member institutions of ACDE.
The event saw a smooth transfer of leadership, honouring the accomplishments of the outgoing President while warmly welcoming the incoming President. Prof. Shibairo received essential instruments of power, which included the ACDE Constitution, the 2021-2025 Strategic Plan, and the ACDE Quality Toolkit. All these tools are geared towards facilitating his continuity of service, and actualizing his pledge to further collaboration, and growth within ACDE.
Prof. Solomon Shibairo receives instruments of work from Prof. Goski Alabi as Prof. Olufemi Peter’s looks on.
In his acceptance speech, Prof. Shibairo expressed his profound gratitude for the opportunity to serve as the President of ACDE and pledged his unwavering commitment to advancing the mission and objectives of ACDE. He emphasized the significance of the triennial conferences as platforms for collaboration, knowledge sharing and innovation in the field of distance learning. Further, he articulated his vision for building upon the established foundation to ensure that ACDE continues to be a driving force for positive change in education across Africa.
“I wholeheartedly accept the responsibilities entrusted to me as President of ACDE for the next three years. I assure you that I will work tirelessly alongside my esteemed colleagues on the Executive Board to advance the ACDE agenda and realize our shared goals. Together, we will strive to promote collaboration, research, policy development, and quality assurance in open and distance learning,” remarked Prof. Shibairo.
Prof. Shibairo gives his Presidency acceptance speech during the ACDE 2024 Conference.
He extended his heartfelt gratitude to the members of ACDE for their support and dedication to the advancement of open and distance learning in Africa. “Together, let us forge ahead with determination and unity, knowing that it is through our collective efforts that we will achieve our shared vision of a more inclusive and accessible education landscape for all,” he added.
Sentiments of admiration and encouragement poured in from Prof. Alabi. Expressing profound confidence in the incoming leadership, she highlighted the transformative potential of Prof. Shibairos’s leadership in steering the ACDE towards greater heights. As she delivered her last speech as the ACDE President, Prof. Alabi congratulated Prof. Shibairo, expressing eagerness to witness the continued progress and success of the ACDE under his stewardship.
“It is a great honour for us to gather here today to usher in the newly elected Board members of ACDE. It has been a privilege to serve as ACDE President. I am confident that under Prof. Shibairo’s leadership, ACDE will continue in the trajectory of success and growth, advancing distance education across the continent of Africa,” said the outgoing President.
The outgoing ACDE President with the newly-elected board.
Indeed, the installation of Prof. Solomon Shibairo as the President of ACDE marks a historic moment for MMUST and the broader academic community in Africa. His appointment comes at a critical juncture when higher education institutions worldwide are grappling with unprecedented challenges posed by technological advancements, and socio-economic disparities. Prof. Shibairo is poised to lead ACDE to becoming a catalyst for positive change and sustainable development across the globe.
By Dr. Lydia Anyonje, Wangari Wambugu and Caren Nekesa
Photos by Shiundu Masafu
