Meet Prof Patrick Verkooijen, the New Chancellor of UoN. Background and Accomplishments
President William Ruto, on January 12, designated Prof Patrick Verkooijen, a distinguished environmentalist, as the new Chancellor of the University of Nairobi for a five-year term.
Verkooijen, a 54-year-old Dutch national, currently serves as the CEO of the Global Center on Adaptation (GCA), an international organization dedicated to addressing the global climate emergency. In collaboration with Ban Ki-Moon, the 8th UN Secretary-General and architect of the Paris Agreement, Verkooijen actively leads efforts in climate adaptation.
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Prof Patrick Verkooijen Key Accomplishments and Roles:
- Former World Bank Special Representative for Climate Change and head of climate smart agriculture.
- Distinguished Chair of The Wangari Maathai Institute for Peace and Environmental Studies at the University of Nairobi.
- Chair on Climate Adaptation Governance at the University of Groningen, Netherlands.
- Managed the Global Commission on Adaptation, co-chaired by Ban Ki-Moon, Kristalina Georgieva, and Bill Gates.
- Established the Carbon Pricing Leadership Coalition and the $1.6 billion Forest Investment Program.
- Professor of Practice of Sustainable Development Diplomacy at Tufts University from 2012 to 2018.
Educational Background:
- Holds a PhD from Wageningen University, an MPA from Harvard University.
- Master of Science degree in Social and Political Philosophy from the University of Amsterdam.
- Environmental engineering degree from HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht.
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Recognitions:
- Awarded a Doctor of Science, Honoris Causa by the University of Nairobi in 2022.
- Green Deal Prize recipient in the 2022 Financial Afrik Awards.
Commitment to Climate Resilience:
- As CEO of the Global Center on Adaptation, Verkooijen led active adaptation projects in over 30 countries.
- Co-architect with Dr. Akinwumi Adesina of the $25 billion Africa Adaptation Acceleration Program, shaping over $6 billion of resilient investments since 2021.
Personal Life:
- Verkooijen resides with his Chilean-American wife.
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In response to his appointment as the University of Nairobi Chancellor, Verkooijen expressed gratitude and acknowledged the significant responsibility associated with the position. He emphasized his commitment to advancing the institution, positioning it as a nurturing ground for African talent.
Verkooijen praised the university’s dedication to excellence and highlighted the urgency of addressing pressing issues, especially the climate emergency. He expressed determination to ensure the university achieves its goals, aspiring to be a prominent talent incubator in Africa during his five-year tenure.
Prof Verkooijen succeeds Professor Amukowa Anangwe, the Acting Chancellor, who welcomed the appointment, recognizing Verkooijen’s solid experience as a catalyst for elevating the university to a world-class institution through international partnerships.
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Meet Prof Patrick Verkooijen, the New Chancellor of UoN. Background and Accomplishments
