Announcing Our New Board Chair

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Professor Gerald Wangenge Ouma as the new Chair of our Board of Directors, effective December 11, 2024. A Professor of Higher Education and the Senior Director of Institutional Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation at the University of Pretoria, South Africa, Prof Ouma brings a wealth of experience in visionary leadership and institutional development, along with a steadfast commitment to advancing our mission.

Prior to becoming the Board Chair, Prof. Ouma served as the Chair of the Board’s Human Resources and Compensation Committee, where he played a leading role in shaping key strategic decisions related to organizational development and workforce alignment. His contributions in this capacity were pivotal in strengthening the Board’s oversight and ensuring the alignment of PASGR’s human resources strategy with its long-term goals.

Prof Ouma has made significant contributions to higher education policy initiatives both regionally and internationally. He has also served on numerous ministerial committees and task teams in South Africa. Notably, he was a member of University South Africa’s Funding Strategy Group for ten years and currently serves on the Advisory Committee of the Albert Luthuli Leadership Institute at the University of Pretoria. He previously served on the Board of the African Network for Internationalisation of Education (ANIE).

In addition to his national work, Prof Ouma has played a leadership role in high-impact international initiatives and is actively engaged in influential networks such as the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA), fostering collaborations across African higher education institutions.

The appointment of Prof Ouma as our new Board Chair comes at a critical moment as PASGR embarks on a new phase of growth, guided by a new strategy. This transition marks an important opportunity to build on our achievements, address emerging challenges, and chart a path toward greater impact.

As we welcome Prof Ouma, we also take this opportunity to express our deepest gratitude to Prof Narciso Matos, the outgoing Chair (2019-2024), for his exceptional leadership during a critical period of organizational transition. His guidance, determination, and unwavering commitment were instrumental in steering PASGR through challenges while also laying a solid foundation for its future growth and lasting impact. We are confident that Prof Ouma’s leadership will build on this legacy, driving forward PASGR’s mission with renewed focus and determination.