By Hope Nda
Renowned Cameroonian academic and founder of the prestigious ICT University based in Yaoundé, Prof Victor Mbarika, has been distinguished with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the President of the United States, Joe Biden.
The prestigious award recognizes Prof Mbarika’s lifetime devoted to selfless service and groundbreaking contributions to academia and to global initiatives aimed at uplifting those in poverty and fostering educational excellence.
Prof Mbarika, also a distinguished professor at East Carolina University, expressed his deep humility and honour at being presented with this distinguished award by the President.
“I am extremely honoured and humbled to be presented with this distinguished award by the president,” Prof Mbarika said.
“I have worked hard to devote my life and career to highlighting and supporting global initiatives that have helped to lift those in poverty. It is my continuing vision to highlight these programs and bring them into the public consciousness.”
The US President’s Lifetime Achievement Award is a rare distinction granted to individuals who contribute more than 4,000 hours of service throughout their lifetime.
In addition to the recognition, recipients receive a personalised certificate, an official pin, medallion or coin, and a congratulatory letter from the President.
The award will be formally presented to Prof. Mbarika during a special ceremony at the White House later this year.
This recognition follows another recent honour from the United Kingdom’s House of Lords, where he received the African Leadership Award – an accolade previously bestowed upon iconic figures such as Nelson Mandela, Kofi Annan, and Julius Nyerere. Prof. Mbarika is the only academic in North Carolina known to hold both awards.
A Stallings Distinguished International Scholar prof at East Carolina University, Prof. Mbarika is not only an academic luminary but also the Founder and President of The Information and Communication Technology University (ICT University).
His visionary leadership has propelled ICT University to be recognised as the best university in Cameroon and the best digital university in Central Africa.
Beyond his academic endeavours, Prof. Mbarika has been a philanthropist, funding multiple ICT projects and scholarships worldwide.
His commitment to bridging the digital divide and promoting education in developing countries has left an indelible mark on the global academic landscape.
Prof. Mbarika’s influence extends beyond the borders of Cameroon and the United States.
He has been a visiting professor at numerous universities worldwide, and his role as the Visiting Leo Endowed Professor and Visiting Legacy Endowed Chair at Legacy University speaks volumes about his impact.
With a focus on technology usage in resource-poor settings, Prof. Mbarika has been at the forefront of highlighting global issues and scholarship, particularly in Africa and Europe.
Prof. Mbarika is a five-time recipient of a Fulbright grant, which enabled him to mentor scholars from developing nations.
He is a Founding Editor-in-Chief of The African Journal of Information Systems and senior board member of several journals. Prof. Mbarika is a Lifetime Member of the Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society. He is a member of several academic associations, including Africa’s first distinguished member of the Association of Information Systems.
