Date: November 3, 2009 From: Office of the Provost Dr. Rukudzo Murapa Speaks on Thursday, November 5 It is our great pleasure to have Dr. Rukudzo Murapa on campus later this week for meetings with students and faculty and a public lecture "Africa: A Continent of Promise for the 21st Century" scheduled for 11 a.m. this Thursday in the East Room. Dr. Murapa is a leading African expert in higher education, governance and economic development, public sector management, and institutional development. As vice-chancellor/CEO of Africa University from 1998 to 2008, he raised the international stature of the university as a private, pan-African institution by more than doubling enrollment, increasing demographic diversity, launching needs-driven academic programs, and expanding and upgrading facilities. He also spearheaded the founding of the Institute of Peace, Leadership and Governance (IPLG) at Africa University, linking issues of peace, stability and development with the quality of leadership and governance systems. Dr. Murapa also worked for three years as Inter-regional Advisor for the United Nations Department of Development, Support and Management Services. In this role, he was involved in the Special Initiative on Governance in Africa. A tenured professor at Cornell University from 1969-1980, Dr. Murapa taught undergraduate and graduate courses in political science, public administration and African political and economic development. He received his Ph.D. in public administration, comparative politics and economics from Northern Illinois University. Please join us in this opportunity to hear from one of Africa's leaders in education and economic development.