Professors pay glowing tribute to 'academic doyen'

By GEORGEMAGOHA

The world woke up to a rude shock last Tuesday with the news of the death of a founding academic icon, Prof David Peter Simon Wasawo, who passed on at the Aga Khan Hospital early that morning at the age of 91. Prof Wasawo was a pioneer African zoolo- gist in who taught at Makerere University in the 1950s and 1960s and at the in the 1960s and early 1970s before joining international bodies including UN agencies, Scientific Research Council. and the Organisation of African Unity panels and countries. In those earlier years of independence when the country was charting its path in higher education. Prof Wasawo was ap- pointed Vice-Principal of the University of students were the late Prof Hillary Ojiambo. Nairobi College in 1965 and served until 1970 the late Prof Joseph Maina Mungai. Prof when the college was upgraded to a full- Richard Musangi, late Prof George Kinoti, fledged university. Thus. he is easily credited Prof Canute Khamala, the late Prof Nim- for laying the foundation for what was to rod Bwibo. Prof J.K. Mati and the late Prof become a successful university in the region. Ambrose Wasuna. This cohort of scholars played a critical role in the expansion of Later he served as the pioneer chairman, university education in the country and to a Department of Zoology and dean, Faculty large extent were the founding scholars in of Science.. He resigned in 1973to serve on their respective disciplines. international bodies. A true scholar. Prof Wasawo's contribu- Prof Francis Gichaga. who was later to tions were felt beyond our borders. In Tan- become.vice-chancellor of the University of zania, when serving as Unesco's scientific Nairobi in the 1990s and who worked with adviser. he was instrumental in the establish- him for years. describes him as "a humble ment of the Tanzania Scientific Research man you could not easily tell was so edu- Council. cated". Again. while serving as the Chief National For his excellent service to the university Resources Division of the United Nations and the world. his impeccable academic Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) credentials, his enormous contribution to based in Addis Ababa, he was instrumental research and teaching in science, his out- in setting up the regional centre for services standing role in the application of science in surveying, mapping and remote sensing. and technology for development, and above all unsurpassed humility. the University of Further, Prof Wasawo was the post- . apartheid Director of Training at the African Nairobi awarded him the Degree of Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa). Institute of Policy Analysis and Economic Integration in Cape Town, South Africa. As a From where I sit. I know that the univer- true scholar, he documented his experiences sity benefited greatly from Prof Wasawo's in a report which he presented to the then leadership as Chairman of Council between President Nelson Mandela's government. as 1998 and 2005 - a critical period when the way forward to cooperation in science the university implemented module II pro- and technology for development. grammes and pioneered the competitive hiring of top managers in the university. This His best contribution to the field of academia and leadership of learning institu- practice has since been emulated by other state bodies. tions is best captured by the following com- m"f'ts by University of Nairobi scholars. As an academician Prof Wasawo was without parallel. a fact acknowledged by ~of Gichaga: "He was a humble man you Margaret McPharson in her book, They Built could not easily tell was so educated:' for the Future. A chronicle of Makerere Uni- Prof Gitahi Kiama: "We shall miss his guid- versity College 1922-1962. ance and leadership for he served the uni- versity with dedication: . She wrote: "Tutors had the joy of report- ing an outstanding student in biology. D.P.s. Prof Charles Okidi: "He was a pio- Mr Odinga says the professor "academic doyen". Wasawo, who is now the vice-principal and neer scholar who provided intellectual served as a mentor and hiend of Prof Wasawo became the professor of Zoology. having been sent leadership:' Prof Bernard Sihanya: "He pio- many in 'S academia and first post-apartheid Director of straight to Oxford University from Makerere:' neered the essence of administration in the was easily recognised as one Training, Africa Institute for university." of the world's greatest brains Policy Analysis and Economic As an outstanding zoologist. he re- A respected family man, Prof Wasawo was to date but who remained im- Integration in Cape Town, South searched extensively on various biological married to Ruth and the couple was blessed mensely simple and humble Africa. species in East Africa and published many despite his great name. During the end of his tenure scientific papers. He will always be remem- ' with four children - Fredrick. Delia, Steven Moi University Chancellor, in 1996, he prepared a report bered for his original contribution to the and Lavinia and many grandchildren. Prof Miriam Were, describes the titled "A Reconnaissance Visit study of the lung fish (protopterus aethiopi- As we celebrate the life of this incredible scholar as supportive to younger to South Africa on Science and cus) the largest fish in the lake region before man whose trademark was simplicity and colleagues. Technology", which he presented the introduction of the Nile Perch in Lake hu'mility despite remarkable achievements, University of Nairobi Vice- to President Nelson Mandela's Victoria. the valuable services he rendered to soci- Chancellor, Prof George Magoha, Government as the way forward His contemporaries in Makerere included ety and his commitment to scholarship will says ProfWasawo was exemplary in co-operation in science and imminent scholars like the late Prof Simeon forever remain etched in the annals of his- during his tenure as chairman of technology for development. Ominde, Prof Joseph Lule, Prof Wilbert tory. Fare thee well Prof David Peter Simon 91 the governing council at the uni- Prof Wasawo may be gone, Chagule and Prof Y.M.Bora. His former stu- Wasawo. versity between 1998 and 2005 but it Is clear his legacy remains Age of Prof dents remember him for his powerful intel-: (su ProfMagoha" tribute). throughout Africa and beyond. lect; he could conduct a three-hour lecture Wasawowhen Prof Magoha Is the Vice-Chancellor of the Masena University Vice- without referring to his notes. Among his he died. Chancellor Dominic Makawiti University of Nairobi describes the late scholar as an