Prof. Dr. agr. AGONG, Stephen Gaya, Chairman, Mount Kenya University Council
Prof. Gaya has been appointed Chairman of the Mount Kenya University Council.
Professor Gaya obtained postdoctoral experience at Hannover University (Germany) and Okayama University (Japan). He is a holder of a PhD in Agricultural Science (Dr. agr.), from the University of Giessen, Germany and; MSc. and BSc. Agriculture, both from the University of Nairobi, Kenya.
Prof. Gaya served as the First Vice-Chancellor, and Professor of Horticulture at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST). He has more than 30 years’ experience in education, training, research, science, technology, policies, management and leadership at University level. His research interests are horticulture, blue economy, food and nutrition security; climate change, with a keen focus on sustainable horticulture/agriculture under low external input and; germplasm development and improvement.
Elected as African Academy of Sciences (AAS) Treasurer in 2023, he has previously served in the AAS Governing Council and as Executive Director of the AAS. Other appointments include: Director, Kisumu Local Interaction Platform; Principal, Bondo University College; Deputy Vice-Chancellor – Planning, Research and Extension Services and Professor of Horticulture, Maseno University; Deputy Vice-Chancellor- Administration, Planning and Development and Associate Professor of Horticulture, JKUAT; Secretary-General, Plant Breeders Association of Kenya (PBAK); Director of the Institute for Energy and Environmental Technology, JKUAT; and; Founding Chairman, Horticultural Association of Kenya.
Prof. Gaya, a recipient of the Matsumae International Fellowship for Peace Award, has published in internationally peer-reviewed journals. He is a member of the International Society of Horticultural Science and; a fellow of the AAS with wide exposure to national, regional and international research, mentorship, and academic leadership.
