Draft:Jacinta Opara

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Background'

Professor Jacinta Opara is a distinguished academic and administrator. She is currently Vice Chancellor of Dominican University, Ibadan-Nigeria, and a leading environmental scholar, scientist, educator, health researcher, consultant, and development activist. Her academic journey and professional career are basically responsible for her laudable achievements and contributions to higher education in Africa and beyond.

Opara was educated at prestigious institutions as the University of Ibadan, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Rivers State University of Science and Technology, University of Port Harcourt, Universidad Católica San Antonio (UCAM), Akershus University(now Oslo Metropolitan University) and the University of Granada, among others. Her educational background is also complemented by advanced degrees and certifications from respected frontline institutions committed to her dedication to lifelong learning.

Professional Career

Prof Opara's career began as a Science Teacher (Biology) at the College of the Immaculate Conception (CIC), Enugu in 1997 during her National Youths Service (NYSC). Since then, she has held numerous top academic and administrative positions across Africa, America, Europe, and Asia. She was promoted to full Professorship in 2016 at Kampala International University (KIU).She has held appointments at Avance International University (AIU),Kingsley Ozumba Mbadiwe University, the University of Maiduguri, the Federal University, Kashere, and Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where she distinguished herself through dedication to teaching, research, educational development, and academic excellence.

She has served as Visiting Scholar of Gender, Peace and Security at IISJ (Universidad de Basque County-UPV/EHU), Gipuzkoa-Spain; Visiting Professor at Kigali Independent University, Rwanda; Metropolitan International University; Mount Kenya University; Laikipia University; University of The Gambia; Nexus International University; Commonwealth University; Athens Institute of Education and Research; National University of Science and Technology (NUST), Bulawayo-Zimbabwe amongst others.

Family Life

Prof Opara was born in Port Harcourt, Nigeria on 2 February 1976. She is married at Maria Assumpta Cathedral, Owerri on June 13, 1998 to Prof Austin Nosike, a leading African Economist and Consultant and together they have five children, three boys and two girls-Sixtus, Mildred, Turibus, Klaudia and Orwell.

Research and Publications

A prolific author, Professor Opara has more than 200 publications. Professor Opara has contributed extensively to the field of environmental education and related disciplines. She has authored numerous research papers, articles, and books that have been widely cited and respected within academic circles. Her works often address pressing environmental issues, educational strategies, and sustainable development, reflecting her dedication to creating a better world through education and research.

Leadership and Administration

Prof Opara is an epitome of exemplary leadership and administrative skills. She is known for her strategic vision and innovative approach to university management. Under her guidance, higher education in Africa has seen significant growth in academic programs, research initiatives, and community engagement. Her leadership style is characterized by inclusivity, collaboration, and a focus on excellence.

Contributions to Education

Prof Opara is a passionate advocate for quality education and has been instrumental in shaping policies and practices that enhance educational standards. She is actively involved in various national and international educational forums, where she shares her insights and experiences to foster global educational development. Her commitment to student success and faculty development is evident in the numerous programs and initiatives she has spearheaded at Dominican University and others.

Awards and Recognitions

Through her career, Prof Opara has received numerous awards and honours in recognition of her contributions to education, research, and community service. Her awards and fellowships include the Erasmus Mundus of the European Commission, , the prestigious IATEL Award for Academic Excellence in 2015 and the 2024 Distinguished Leadership Achievement Award. These accolades reflect her impact on the academic community and her dedication to excellence in all her endeavours.

Community Engagement

Beyond her academic and administrative roles, Prof Opara is deeply involved in community service. She believes in the power of education to transform lives and communities, and she actively participates in initiatives that promote environmental sustainability, social justice, and economic development.

Vision for the Future

Prof Jacinta Opara’s goals include expanding research opportunities, fostering innovation, and building strong partnerships with industry and government to address societal challenges. She is committed to creating an inclusive and supportive environment where students and faculty can thrive and achieve their full potential. Prof Opara remains committed to continue career as scholar, scientist, health researcher, educator, development activist, management consultant or work with an organization with a mandate for human development and capacity building for sustainability. Given a conducive environment of academic freedom, intellectual meritocracy and non- discriminatory practices, her objective would be to be part of an interdisciplinary team of experts/scholars/policy makers that would integrate knowledge, professional skills and intellectual competencies as well as resource management in a co-ordinated program or vision with a view to alleviate dysfunctionalism in intellectual and development management in the global age

Personal Qualities

Known for her integrity, dedication, and compassionate leadership, Professor Opara inspires those around her to strive for excellence and make meaningful contributions to society. Her passion for education and unwavering commitment to her students and colleagues make her a respected and admired figure in the academic community. She is a cosmopolitan scholar possessing excellent skills of living with people of different cultures. She has a proven record of teaching, research and community services that had earned her respect of peers locally and globally. She possesses demonstrable strong interpersonal and team-building skills to build bridges between all relevant stakeholders across time and space in higher education and human capacity building.

Experience

Prof Opara serves on several boards and governing councils. Prof Opara is founding Co-Executive Director, Center for Environment and Community Development and serves on the Board/Governing Council of Metropolitan International University, Mediterranean Center for Social and Educational Research, Rome-Italy; African Institute of Management, Technology and Development Studies, Kigali-Rwanda; Association of Women Educationists; African Society for Scientific Research; Development Africa Consortium amongst other institutions including non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Through these assignments, she has established a broad network of contacts that can be leveraged. Her wealth of experience and commitment to continuous professional development have made her a rallying point for many of her colleagues and students across various institutions. Her administrative experience is extensive, having served as Head of Department, Dean, Director, and Deputy Vice Chancellor. She is very familiar with the local and international higher education landscape. She also serves as President of the African Association for Teaching and Learning and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Institute of Policy Management Development.

REFERENCES

https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=KII9b_oAAAAJ&hl=en

https://www.atiner.gr/bio/Jacinta_Opara.pdf

http://www.b-ac.info/uploads/9/3/9/2/9392622/biography_of_professor_jacinta_a._opara-ju.pdf

https://madridge.org/editorial_board_member/Jacinta-A-Opara

https://africanscientists.africa/business-directory/opara-2/

https://www.modernghana.com/news/1319789/prof-jacinta-opara-new-vc-of-dominican-universit.html

https://www.myschoolgist.com/ng/dui-vice-chancellor/

http://www.imotrumpeta.com/?p=43518

https://twitter.com/duinigeria/status/1801614333899628678

https://www.researchgate.net/scientific-contributions/Jacinta-A-Opara-81957717

https://thenews-chronicle.com/tag/prof-jacinta-opara-appointed-as-vice-chancellor-of-dominican-university/

http://www.sapub.org/journal/editorialdetails.aspx?JournalID=1129&PersonID=18188

https://www.academia.edu/8634359/Jacinta-a-opara-editorial_3

https://www.ines.ac.rw/research/seminar/

https://www.amazon.de/-/en/Jacinta-Opara/dp/3659419281

https://www.morawa.at/detail/ISBN-9783659419287/Opara-Jacinta-A./State-of-Education-and-Globalization

https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/702988-nigerian-university-appoints-first-female-vice-chancellor.html

https://examiner.co.ug/news/africa/dominican-university-appoints-professor-jacinta-opara-as-vice-chancellor/

https://www.ines.ac.rw/research/seminar/overview-of-research-for-development-in-africa/

https://dui.edu.ng/new_vc_profile

https://edelweisspublications.com/editor.php?name=Jacinta-A.Opara&journal_id=44

https://idosi.org/wjns/board.htm

https://www.acedu.org/institute-of-environmental-health

Professor Jacinta A.Opara,PhD,DSc".