A PROFILE OF PROF. GEORGE N. CHEMINING'WA, PHD,

Prof. George N. Chemining’wa is an agricultural scientist specialized in agronomy. He graduated top of his class with B.Sc. Agriculture- First Class Honours (University of Nairobi, 1990) and holds M.Sc. Agronomy (University of Nairobi, 1994), PhD in Plant Science (University of Manitoba, 2002) and Diploma  in Rural Innovation Processes (ICRA,  Netherlands, 2005).

Prof Chemining'wa joined  the Faculty  of Agriculture, University of Nairobi, as an Assistant Lecturer in 1995 and rose steadily through the ranks of Lecturer (2002), Senior Lecturer (2008), Associate Professor (2013) and to the ultimate position of Full Professor in 2019 in the Department of Plant Science and Crop Protection.

Alongside teaching and scholarly pursuits, Prof. Chemining'wa was able to hone his skills in academic management and leadership at various echelons of the University of Nairobi. Prior to his appointment as Acting Principal (Turkana University College) on 29^th July 2020, he served as the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture (2018-2020), a position he was elected to by his peers. He has served as Chairman, Department of Plant Science and Crop Protection, for six years (2011- 2017), Head of Crop Science Section (2010-2011), Examination Officer (2007-2011) and Faculty Timetabling Coordinator (2003-2011). Prior to joining the University of Nairobi as an Assistant Lecturer, he served as an Agricultural Officer (1993-1995) in the Ministry of Agriculture.

Prof. Chemining'wa is highly experienced in management and administrative processes at the Faculty, College and University levels. He has served as a member of the University of Nairobi Senate (2011- 2020), Deans Committee (2018-2020), College Management Board (2011-2020), College Academic Board (2011-2020), College Performance Contract Committee (2011-2020), College Procurement and Disposal Committee, College Annual Report Committee, and College Corruption Prevention Committee; Chairman of Rural Innovation and Outreach Committee (2007-2011) and member of Faculty Examinations Committee (2007-2011), Faculty Curriculum Committee (2003-2011) and Field Station Advisory Committee (2016-2020). He has been a member of the University of Nairobi's Research and Development Advisory Board (2011-2020) and the Center for Biotechnology and Bioinformatics (2011-2020). He has served in many Senate and Deans Committees including those dealing with Dual-Degrees, online examination modules for lecturers, student disciplinary issues, Security, pardon and mercy for students and overarching policy development. He has served as a Commissioner at the University of Nairobi Students Association (UNSA) Independent Electoral Commission.

Prof. Chemining'wa has attracted considerable research funds from national, regional and global sources. He has coordinated and collaborated in 26 research and development projects most of which have supported PhD and Masters students and improved laboratory infrastructure. As a result, he has published 90 peer reviewed journal articles  and  100 papers in refereed proceedings and abstracts.

Prof. Chemining'wa has organized over 10 regional and international conferences with partners and colleagues. For example, he co-chaired (with a student leader) the first and very successful International Youth Conference at the College of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences (CAVS) in 2012, AGRO 2019 Conference at the College of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences, RUFORUM 2018 Biennial Conference.

Prof. Chemining'wa has an enviable record in postgraduate training and mentorship. He has graduated 15 PhD and 70 Masters students in various agricultural disciplines and has many more in the pipeline.

As an academic, Prof. Chemining'wa has developed and reviewed over 20 curricula as a member, Secretary or Chair of curricula review committees. He coordinated review of  over 10 B.Sc. programmes in the Department of Plant Science and Crop Protection and the Faculty of Agriculture.

Prof. Chemining'wa has partnered with officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock Development and Fisheries in technology development and dissemination as well as policy development. He was a member of the national taskforce that spearheaded the development of the current national agricultural research policy. Currently, Prof. Chemining'wa serves as the Chairman of the Board of the Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services-Kenya (KeFAAS) whose main objective is to improve the delivery and quality of agricultural advisory services in Kenya and a  member of the National Field Schools Coordinating Unit (Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation) whose main objective is to institutionalize Field Schools Approach in research,  extension and tertiary institutions in Kenya. He has served as the Chairman of the Board of Governors at Cheptais Secondary School and currently serves as a Board member at Kimobo Secondary School.

Prof. Chemining'wa is keen on staff welfare. He was the founder patron of the Department of Plant Science and Crop Protection Welfare Association and Founder Secretary and member of the Upper Kabete Welfare Association (Faculty Clubhouse).