Advisory board

Dr Nico Elema

Director of the Centre for Collaboration in Africa (CCA)

Dr Elema is the Director of the Centre for Collaboration in Africa (CCA) at Stellenbosch University, South Africa, where he manages a team of internationalisation practitioners to create an enabling environment for Stellenbosch University to partner and engage with various partners across the continent. Responsibilities in the centre include the administration of the Africa Collaboration Grant associated with the bilateral partners and the administration of various Intra-Africa mobility programmes. Moreover, the CCA host the secretariats of the AUDA-NEPAD Southern African Network of Water Centres of Excellence (AUDA-NEPAD SANWATCE), the AUDA-NEPAD Centre of Excellence in Science, Technology & Innovation (AUDA-NEPAD CoE in STI), and the Partner Enhancing Resilience for People Exposed to Risks (PERIPERI U). The CCA also support the secretariat of the African Research Universities Alliance CoE in Energy.

Over the years, he has gained extensive experience in the African higher education sector and has been working with various partners on project implementation, project evaluation and multi-lateral partner programmes that focus on thematic fields which include water and sanitation, Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Science, Technology & Innovation (STI).

His education includes a Master in Business Administration (MBA) and a PhD in Science and Technology Studies at Stellenbosch University, South Africa.

James Otieno Jowi

Principal Education Officer at the East African Community (EAC)

James Otieno Jowi is the Principal Education Officer at the East African Community (EAC) where he coordinates the development and implementation of regional education programs. He is the founding Executive Director of the African Network for Internationalization of Education (ANIE) and currently chairs ANIEs research committee. He holds a PhD from the Centre for Higher Education Policy Studies (CHEPS), University of Twente, Netherlands; a Masters in Comparative & International Education, University of Oslo, Norway; a Master of Linguistics & Bachelor of Education from Moi University, Kenya. He was a Senior Lecturer at the School of Education, Moi University, Kenya. He has won several research grants and participated in several research networks. He has published on higher education in Africa, especially on internationalization and sits in the boards of several international educational organizations.

Darius Mogaka Ogutu

Director Higher Education at Ministry of Education, State Department of Higher Education and Research - Kenya

Darius Mogaka Ogutu is a Director of Education in charge of the Directorate of University Education within the State Department for University Education and Research in the Ministry of Education, Kenya. As the Directorate of University Education we are involved in; formulation and review of policies on University Education in collaboration with relevant bodies and agencies; overseeing Governance and Management of Universities; receiving and administration of university scholarships offered by foreign countries and agencies; coordination of admission of students to public universities in liaison with Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service; coordination of student exchange programmes; implementing, monitoring and evaluation of various projects in the University education sector; clearance of students going for foreign training; engagement with alumni associations and collaboration with stakeholders in promoting access, relevance and quality in the sector. Mr. Mogaka Ogutu has previously served as Director of Education in charge of Policy, Partnerships and East African Community Affairs. His areas of expertise include; Education Policy Development & Analysis, Education Planning, Partnerships and Community Development, Assessment for Learning, Research, Educational Communication and Technology, Curriculum Development, Language Education and Children’s Rights Education. He is a member of the IUCEA and EE4A representing the State Department for University Education and Research, Ministry of Education and is keen on evidence-based policy development, implementation and analysis through an integral process of co-creation of evidence!

Prof. Charles Ochieng’ Ong’ondo

Director/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD)

Prof. Charles Ochieng’ Ong’ondo is the Director/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD). He is an Associate Professor in Teacher Education. He is a Commonwealth Academic Fellow and Scholar who holds a Postdoctoral Fellowship (University Warwick, UK), a PhD (the University of Leeds, UK), an M.Phil. Degree (Moi University, Kenya), a B.Ed. Degree (Moi University), and a Diploma in Education (Siriba Teachers College – Kenya). Before he joined KICD, Prof. Ong’ondo was a Teacher Educator in the School of Education at Moi University Kenya where he had worked for 16 years. Prior to joining the university as a lecturer, Charles had had Thirteen years experience as a teacher of English Language and Literature in English at secondary school level in Kenya. He has (alone and jointly) published widely in English Language Teacher Education, Research Methodology and Communication Studies. He also serves as a reviewer for a number of international journals. Prof. Ong’ondo has actively participated in Community Service as Chairman and member of Taskforces, Boards of Management, Guest of Honour/Keynote Speaker, Adjudicator and Facilitator in a number of National, Regional, County or Institutional/ Organizational events conferences and festivals.

Jennie Taylor

Senior Regional Education Officer at UNHCR

Jennie recently joined the UNHCR Regional Bureau for East and Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes after 5 years leading UNHCR Kenya’s education work. She has been working on education supporting children and youth whose lives are affected by crisis and conflict since 2008, predominately in Africa. She has a diverse background working on issues of adolescent and youth engagement, education in emergencies, and working with partner governments to strengthen systems. Jennie is currently part of the Whole Child Development Network and has previously worked for UNICEF, Save the Children and RET International.

Jackson Too

Associate Professor in Educational Communicational and technology

Jackson Too, PhD is Associate Professor in Educational Communicational and technology specializing in curriculum, instructional media, pedagogy and technology with a track record of teaching, research and administration. Member of the Commonwealth Association of Educational Administration and Management (CAEAM). Member of East and Southern African-German Centre of Excellence for Educational Research Methodologies and management (CERM-ESA). Project Leader of Partnership for Enhanced Blended Learning (PEBL), under the DFID global Strategic Partnership in Higher Education Innovation & Reforms (SPHEIR). Have served as the Head of Research and Development and Deputy Commission Secretary in Administration and Finance at the Commission for University Education (CUE). Have supported initiatives to promote publication of scholarly papers among university faculty, with the objective of disseminating research findings to advance academic knowledge around the world. Member of the Task Force on Enhancing Access, Relevance, Transition, Equity and Quality for Effective Curriculum Reforms. I’m a member of the Independent Advisory Board (IAB) of PEBL, West Africa (WA) and also a member of African Higher Education in Emergencies Network (AHEEN) Advisory Board.

Rob Vember

Program Director - Global Business School Network

Rob Vember is a multi-award-winning broadcaster having worked for some of South Africa’s most iconic media brands. Following a semester at The George Washington University in D.C., he joined the Global Business School Network, where he works as Program Director.

Rob holds a degree in Journalism & Media Studies, and Politics from Rhodes University, and an MBA from the University of Cape Town’s Graduate School of Business. He is currently enrolled for a Bachelor of Laws.

Rob is Patron of The Chaeli Campaign – a non-profit mobilising the minds and bodies of children with disabilities, and normalising society through advocacy and education. He is on the Advisory Board of Management Skills for Wildlife Conservation, focussed on training African conservancy communities. In addition, he consults on communications for eLearning Africa, a global network of professionals working in the field of ICT supported education and training.

AHEEN Athletics & Education International Advisory Board

Gunter Lange

Special Presidential Assistant (Education and Sports) at Uganda Statehouse

Gunter Lange has 50 years of experience as Coach (Applied Sportsscience) and Sport Development Expert with a demonstrated global history of Project Management in the Sports industry, based on robust Intercultural Skills, Communication, Leadership, Presentations skills and Strategy design / implementation. He has over 30 sports science publications to his credit and has been involved in sports development projects for the German National Olympic Committee/German Government (Foreign Office) across several continents. While continuing to evolve the World Athletics Coach Education & Certification System, he has been the Special Presidential Assistant / Education & Sports at the Uganda Statehouse since 2019.

Vicky Huyton

Founder of the Female Coaching Network | Coaching Consultant | Performance Coach Mentor

Vicky Huyton is a leading advocate for female sports coaches, dedicated to empowering ambitious professionals to thrive in the competitive world of elite performance. With 25 years of experience in coaching and sports development, Vicky has worked with some of the best coaches and athletes in the industry around the Globe. As the founder of the Female Coaching Network, one of the world’s largest communities for female coaches, Vicky is committed to driving meaningful change in sport. Through this platform, she fosters an environment where coaches can connect, develop, and influence industry standards. Through her extensive work, she continues to challenge systems, influence policy, and create opportunities for female coaches worldwide.

Ibrahim Kipkemboi Hussein

Director of the Area Athletics Development Centre (AADC) - Nairobi

Ibrahim Kipkemboi Hussein is the Director of the Area Athletics Development Centre (AADC) Nairobi, a key institution mandated by World Athletics through the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) driving development of athletics across Anglophone Africa. A former elite athlete, he made history as the first African to win the prestigious Boston Marathon in 1988 before securing two more victories in 1991 and 1992. His international success cemented his legacy as a pioneer in long-distance running, inspiring generations of African athletes. Following his competitive career, he transitioned to athletics development, playing a crucial role in coaching education, competition management, and technical training.