Dominican University Appoints Professor Jacinta Opara as Vice Chancellor

Summary:

• Professor Jacinta Opara has been appointed as the second substantive Vice Chancellor of Dominican University, Ibadan. She is the first female to hold this position. The appointment, announced by Chief Anthony Idigbe (SAN), Chairman of the Board of Trustees, followed a rigorous selection process. Professor Opara, a distinguished environmental scholar and educator, brings extensive experience from various international academic and administrative roles.

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IBADAN, NIGERIA (Examiner) – Dominican University, Ibadan-Nigeria, has announced the appointment of Professor Jacinta Opara as its second substantive Vice Chancellor. This historic decision followed a rigorous recruitment exercise led by a professional recruiting firm alongside esteemed academics, adhering to the best global practices in headhunting for strategic academic positions.

In an official statement, Chief Anthony Idigbe (SAN), Chairman of the University’s Board of Trustees, confirmed that the appointment was approved during the Board’s meeting on March 7, 2024. The appointment is anticipated to usher in an era of innovation and academic excellence at Dominican University, reflecting Professor Opara’s proven track record in higher education and her outstanding commitment to fostering learning and research.

Dominican University, formerly known as the Dominican Institute, is the first university established by the Order of Preachers in Africa. The Dominican Order, founded by Spanish priest Dominic de Guzman in 1216, has a long history of involvement in university education worldwide. The university, which became an affiliate of the University of Ibadan in 1993, received its license from the Federal Government of Nigeria on November 22, 2016, marking the birth of the first university of the Order in Africa. It is accredited and recognized by the National Universities Commission.

Professor Opara is the first female Vice Chancellor of the institution and will serve a five-year term. As Vice Chancellor, she will be the Academic and Administrative Head and the Chief Executive of the university, reporting to the Governing Council. Her responsibilities will include overseeing protocol, external relations, and the coordination of various internal organs.

Professor Opara, born in Port Harcourt, Nigeria in 1976, is a leading environmental scholar, educator, health researcher, and development activist. She holds degrees from several prestigious institutions, including the University of Ibadan, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, University of Port Harcourt, and the University of Granada, among others. Her career began in 1997 as a Science Teacher (Biology) at the College of the Immaculate Conception (CIC), Enugu under the National Youths Service Corps. She has since held numerous academic and administrative positions across Africa, America, Europe, and Asia.

Professor Opara has a distinguished career, having been promoted to full Professor in 2016 at Kampala International University (KIU). She has served at various universities, including Avance International University (AIU), University of Maiduguri, Federal University, Kashere, and Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, showcasing her dedication to teaching, research, and educational development.

Her administrative experience is extensive, having served as Head of Department, Dean, Director, and Deputy Vice Chancellor. She is known for her ability to build bridges between stakeholders in higher education and human capacity building. Professor Opara is also a founding Co-Executive Director of the Center for Environment and Community Development and serves on several boards and governing councils.

A prolific author, she has more than 200 publications, including over 130 academic journal articles and 15 books. She has received numerous awards and fellowships, including the Erasmus Mundus of the European Commission and the 2024 Distinguished Leadership Achievement Award.

Her tenure is expected to bring new opportunities for partnerships, research funding, international collaborations, and community outreach.

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