Outgoing USIU VC donates Sh100m personal library

Professor Paul Tiyambe Zeleza. [Courtesy]

Students at the United States International University (USIU) are set to benefit from a Sh100 million library donation by outgoing Vice-Chancellor Paul Tiyambe Zeleza.

The Prof Zeleza gift includes more than 10,000 textbooks, transcripts, research papers, journals and conference reports collected over the last four decades from various continents.

The collection also includes his archives of personal papers and manuscripts of his publications.

Speaking at the handover ceremony attended by former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga and several other dignitaries yesterday, Zeleza said his experience in USIU would be unforgettable. 

Professor Paul Tiyambe Zeleza. [Courtesy]

“Donating these books... represents my dedication to enhancing the university’s learning and research capacities. More broadly, it reflects my lifelong passion for promoting African knowledge production and cultivating the culture of philanthropy in African universities,” he said.

He added: “I have collected a valuable library that will help advance academic delivery in African, Diaspora, Development, Gender, Environmental, Cultural and Globalisation studies," he said.

Dr Mutunga commended Zeleza for leaving an indelible mark on the university's history. 

“The pride of any university lies in its ability to engage in cutting edge research and USIU-Africa has remained committed to this cause... Through the donation of his personal library, Prof Zeleza has demonstrated dedication to enhancement of the university’s learning and research capacities,” said Mutunga.