Abuja, NIGERIA — The Vice Chancellor of University of Delta, Professor Stella Chinye Chiemeke has been recognised as one of the most deserving recipients of the Who’sWho in Africa Award 2023/2024 for her outstanding career and enormous contributions to higher education in Nigeria.
The award of Who’sWho to the Vice-Chancellor as “an outstanding individual who has demonstrated impact, leadership, and advocacy in the field of education”, again, recognizes the impact of Prof Stella Chiemeke’s work and leadership on the international stage.
The November 30 awards held at the Nigeria National Merit Award House in Abuja was a livestreamed and virtual event. The award which was officially presented at the University on Tuesday by the Editor of Time Africa Magazine, Chidi-Peters Okorie, stated that Prof Chiemeke had shown exceptional leadership, and have contributed to the holistic growth and development of students and have played a pivotal role in the advancement of higher education.
According to Okorie, “Who’sWho in Africa is limited and presented to individuals who have made exemplary contributions to the prosperity values, or protection of African interest, world peace, or other significant societal, public or private endeavors.”
Prof Chiemeke, along with other academic nominees from countries and organisations across Africa, were assessed by an international panel of judges in the criteria of advocacy, impact and leadership in furthering the goals of education on the continent.
Established in 2011, the Who’sWho in Africa Award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions in private and public sectors and who have laid the foundation for present and future leaders in the battle for better Africa.
A renowned academic in Nigeria, Prof. Chiemeke received a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science in 1986, and a Master’s Degree in Computer Science in 1992. Also, in 2004, she bagged a PhD in Computer Science from the Federal University of Technology, Akure.
In the year 1986, she began a career as a programmer, and later as the head of computer center of the Edo State University (Now Ambrose Alli University), Ekpoma, where she served from 1987-1994.
She began a lecturing career at the University of Benin as an Assistant lecturer in 1994. She rose to the rank of Professor in 2009 to become the second female Professor of Computer Science in Nigeria.
Prof. Chiemeke specializes in software engineering, digital forensics, ICT management and software management.
She has served in several capacities both in academics and beyond. From 2006-june 2007, she served as the Assistant Dean, Faculty of Physical Sciences, University of Benin; two-team Acting Head of Department of Computer Science from 2002-2004 and 2006-2009 respectively; Director of Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer Office (IPTTO), University of Benin 2010 to 2015.
She is a member of many recognized professional bodies both in Nigeria and abroad. She is a Fellow of Nigeria Computer Society, (NCS, 1999 – date), a Fellow of Strategic Institute for Natural Resources and Human Development (FRHD), a Fellow of Renewable and Alternative Energy Society of Nigeria (RAESON, 2015), a member of Computer Professional Registration Council of Nigeria (CPN, from 2000 – date); a member of Association of Computer Machinery (ACM), USA (2000 – date); an affiliate member of the Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers (IEEE, UK (2001 – date); a member of the International Network for Women Engineers and Scientists (INWES), Ottawa, Canada (2005 – date), member of the Organization of Women in Science and Technology in Developing World, (OWSD), Trieste, Italy (2005 – date), member, International Association of Engineers, (IAENG), UK. (2006 – date) and member, Nigerian Women in Information Technology (NIWIIT, 2013 to date).
Prof. Chiemeke was immediate past Rector, Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku Delta State from 2017-2021.
With the establishment of University of Delta, Agbor by the Government of Delta State, in 2021, she was appointed the Pioneer Vice Chancellor to steer the affairs of the new institution.