Prof. William Anangisye, UDSM Vice-Chancellor, Joins Association of African Universities Governing Board
By Jackson Isdory, CMU
The University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) has once again strengthened its reputation as a continental trailblazer in higher education following the appointment of its Vice Chancellor, Professor William-Andey Lazaro Anangisye, to the Governing Board of the Association of African Universities (AAU).
In a congratulatory letter dated 28 July 2025, the AAU Secretary-General, Professor Olusola Bandele Oyewole, confirmed the appointment, noting that Prof. Anangisye will represent the East African Region during his 2025–2029 tenure.
Prof. Oyewole emphasized that Prof. Anangisye’s selection by his peers across the continent reflects his “outstanding leadership, unwavering dedication to academic excellence, and deep commitment to advancing higher education in Africa”.
“We are confident that your wealth of experience as Vice Chancellor of the University of Dar es Salaam, one of Africa’s premier institutions, will bring valuable insights and purposeful leadership to the AAU Governing Board,” wrote Prof. Oyewole.
He called on Prof. Anangisye to champion AAU’s mission, foster regional innovation, and strengthen quality assurance across African universities.
Prof. Anangisye, the accomplished UDSM education scholar, welcomed the appointment, vowing to lead with impact.
“I am deeply honoured by this appointment. I intend to actively contribute to the strategic objectives of the AAU, particularly in harmonising academic standards, fostering innovation, and enhancing the global competitiveness of African universities”, said Prof. Anangisye.
The AAU Governing Board, a body comprising distinguished academic leaders from across the continent, plays a crucial role in providing strategic oversight. It ensures that the mission of the Association of African Universities (AAU) to strengthen higher education in Africa remains both relevant and impactful.
The board is responsible for setting the strategic direction, overseeing the implementation of key initiatives, and ensuring that the AAU's mission is upheld.
Steering the Future of Higher Education
UDSM’s Deputy Vice Chancellor – Research, Prof. Nelson Boniface, praised the appointment, noting that it reaffirms UDSM’s pivotal role in shaping the future of higher education in Africa.
“Under Prof. Anangisye’s leadership, UDSM has cemented its place as a premier academic institution and emerged as a beacon of excellence in teaching, research, and innovation”, he remarked.
Prof. Boniface further noted that Prof. Anangisye’s robust scholarly work on professionalism and ethics, combined with his governance experience, positions him well to serve the AAU Board, where he had previously served as an alternate member since 2023.
A Catalyst for Regional Integration and Global Engagement
The Director of Internationalisation, Convocation and Advancement at UDSM, Dr. Augustina Alexander, highlighted that this appointment strengthens UDSM’s global footprint.
“The Vice Chancellor’s presence at the AAU Board enhances our ability to forge partnerships that support student mobility, collaborative research, and academic diplomacy across borders”, said Dr. Alexander.
Similarly, UDSM Director of Research and Publication, Dr. Mathew Senga, applauded the appointment, stressing its importance at a time when Africa is recalibrating its development priorities.
“Prof. Anangisye’s leadership will ensure that higher education remains central to the knowledge economy, technology transfer, and capacity building across the region. This is a strategic opportunity for UDSM to align our research agenda with continental priorities, promote innovation ecosystems, and attract cross-border collaborations”, said Dr. Senga.
A Champion for Higher Learning in Africa
This appointment reflects not only Prof. Anangisye’s personal achievement but also underscores UDSM’s stature as a regional powerhouse in higher education.
For the East African Community, it is a bold affirmation that the region is ready to shape the continental discourse on education, development, and innovation. It serves as a call for universities to move beyond traditional roles of teaching and learning, and instead, become engines of transformation, integration, and unity.
As East Africa and the continent at large seek solutions to pressing socio-economic challenges, Prof. Anangisye’s role on the AAU Board comes at a pivotal moment. His appointment embodies the aspirations of a region determined to lead, collaborate, and innovate on the global stage.
Through UDSM, Tanzania continues to assert itself as a vanguard of academic excellence, innovation, and regional integration. With a legacy spanning over six decades, UDSM has consistently produced transformative leaders, spearheaded cutting-edge research, and shaped the policies that define Africa’s educational landscape.