People

BOARD

COL announces new Chair

HIS EXCELLENCY DANNY FAURE

His Excellency Danny Faure, Former President of the Republic of Seychelles, was named Chair of COL’s Board of Governors on 2 March 2023. As Minister of Education at the Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers (CCEM) held in 2000, HE Danny Faure mooted the idea of the Virtual University for Small States of the Commonwealth (VUSSC) and at the next CCEM held three years later, strongly advocated for COL to be the lead agency in implementing this initiative. He continued his interest and support for VUSSC through other cabinet posts and at international forums as a champion for small states. HE Danny Faure represented Africa on COL’s Board from January 2014 to December 2016.

Welcome to new board members

BELINDA TYNAN
Dr Belinda Tynan was re-appointed in October 2022 as Australia’s representative.

EMI FURUYA
Ms Emi Furuya, in her capacity as Director General, International Organizations at Global Affairs Canada, has been appointed as Canada’s representative.

AMINA MOHAMED
Ambassador Dr Amina Mohamed is the Commonwealth Secretary-General’s nominated member to the Board.

SUSIL PREMAJAYANTHA
The Honourable Dr Susil Premajayantha, Minister of Education, Sri Lanka, is representing the Asia region.

COL acknowledges outgoing board members

ARIF LALANI
Mr Arif Lalani, Director General, International Organizations, Global Affairs Canada, represented Canada until his retirement last year.

JOANNA NEWMAN
Dr Joanna Newman, Secretary General of the Association of Commonwealth Universities, completed her term as the appointee of the Commonwealth Secretary-General.

ASMA ISMAIL
Professor Datuk Dr Asma Ismail, President, Academy of Sciences, Malaysia, represented the Asia region during her term.

STAFF

COL welcomes new staff members

KAREN NYANGARA
Dr Karen Nyangara, Adviser: Gender has over ten years of experience in gender mainstreaming, working in the areas of higher education and school education as well as at the community level.

EVODE MUKAMA
Dr Evode Mukama, Adviser: Teacher Education has had a long career in higher education, with a focus on teacher professional development in ICT-enhanced learning, pedagogical skills and digital content development.

JAKO OLIVIER
Dr Jako Olivier, Adviser: Higher Education has over ten years of teaching and research leadership in higher education within the Southern Africa context.

DAVE JACKSON
Mr Dave Jackson, Communications Manager, brings with him extensive experience in communications.

Farewell to former staff members

MANAS RANJAN PANIGRAHI
Dr Manas Panigrahi served as Senior Programme Officer, Education at CEMCA.

SAURABH MISHRA
Mr Saurabh Mishra served as Programme Officer, Skills at CEMCA.