Prof. Wakindiki Elected Deputy Member of the IAU Administrative Board

Caption: Members of the newly elected IAU Administrative Board at the IAU 17th General Conference, Murdoch University, Perth, Australia.

KCA University’s Vice-Chancellor and CEO, Prof. Isaiah Wakindiki, PhD, EBS has been elected as a Deputy Member of the Administrative Board of the International Association of Universities (IAU) for the 2026–2030 term.

The election was held on 5 November 2026 at the IAU 17th General Conference, hosted by Murdoch University in Perth, Australia, under the theme “The Value of Universities in the Era of AI”. Member institutions accepted the slate of candidates unanimously.

“I am deeply honoured by the confidence that IAU Member institutions have placed in me,” said Prof. Wakindiki. “This recognises the growing contribution of African universities to the global conversation on higher education and I accept it on behalf of KCA University and our partners across the continent.”

About the IAU

Founded in 1950 and based at UNESCO House in Paris, the IAU is the global association of higher education institutions, with members in about 120 countries. Its Administrative Board sets the Association’s direction on internationalisation, sustainable development, digital transformation and the values that guide higher education.

Why Africa’s voice matters

Africa has the youngest population in the world, and how the continent educates its young people will shape the global future. As artificial intelligence changes how universities teach, learn and conduct research, Prof. Wakindiki believes African institutions must do more than adapt.

“The real question for African universities is not whether we adapt to AI, but whether we help set the agenda,” he said. “Our universities must be at the table where the future of higher education is being shaped.”

In his mandate to the board, Prof. Wakindiki will focus on three priorities:

The election recognises Prof. Wakindiki’s more than 30 years of leadership in higher education and his long-standing commitment to pan-African collaboration and sound institutional governance. He is Vice President of the Association of African Universities (AAU), a Member of the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA) and East African Regional Representative of the African Council for Distance Education (ACDE). He is also a member of the International Association of University Presidents (IAUP) and the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU), and serves as Professor Extraordinarius at the University of South Africa (UNISA).

For KCA University, the election means a seat at the table where the future of global higher education is shaped, and new opportunities for partnership with universities around the world.

Speaking in appreciation of the IAU member universities who endorsed his candidacy, Prof. Wakindiki said, “I am grateful to my fellow Vice-Chancellors and Presidents who endorsed my candidacy and also congratulate my fellow Board members and look forward to collaborating in strengthening the global voice of higher education.”

See the full IAU Administrative Board for 2026–2030: https://iau.global/administrative-board