By Alumni Relations Department
USIU-Africa proudly celebrates the remarkable achievement of our esteemed alumnus, Professor Victor Mbarika, Class of 1995, who has been bestowed with a prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award by US President Joe Biden. This rare honor is a testament to Professor Mbarika's outstanding contributions and unwavering commitment to service throughout his distinguished career.

Expressing his gratitude, Professor Mbarika remarked, "I am extremely honored and humbled to be presented with this distinguished award by the President. I have worked hard to devote my life and career to highlighting and supporting global initiatives that have helped to lift those in poverty. It is my continuing vision to highlight these programs and bring them into the public consciousness."

The Lifetime Achievement Award, granted by the President to individuals who contribute more than 4,000 hours of service in their lifetime, is a fitting acknowledgment of Professor Mbarika's lifelong dedication to impactful endeavors. Alongside the honor of Presidential recognition, recipients are awarded a personalized certificate, an official pin, medallion or coin, and a congratulatory letter from the President.

The upcoming award ceremony, scheduled to take place at the White House later this year, will be a momentous occasion where Professor Mbarika's extraordinary contributions will be celebrated. Notably, he was recently honored by the United Kingdom's House of Lords with the African Leadership Award, joining the esteemed ranks of African leaders Nelson Mandela, Kofi Anan, and Julius Nyerere. Professor Mbarika holds the distinction of being the only academic in North Carolina to receive both awards.

Professor Mbarika is also the visionary founder and President of the Information and Communication Technology University (ICT University), with multiple campuses in developing countries, where he has spearheaded initiatives to advance education and opportunities for underprivileged communities. His philanthropic endeavors extend beyond academia, as he has generously funded numerous ICT projects and scholarships worldwide, embodying a spirit of global citizenship and compassion. His research, focusing on technology usage in resource-poor settings, underscores his commitment to addressing pressing global challenges and driving positive change.

Professor Mbarika holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Management Information Systems from USIU-Africa, a Master of Science degree in Management Information Systems from the University of Illinois in Chicago and a PhD. in Management Information Systems from Auburn University, USA. He is the Stallings Distinguished International Scholar Professor at East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina. A prolific scholar, Professor Mbarika has authored over 250 academic publications and received three Lifetime Achievement Awards in higher education. His contributions to the academic community extend to mentoring scholars from developing nations through multiple Fulbright grants and serving as a founding editor-in-chief of the African Journal of Information Systems.

As an alumnus of USIU-Africa, his journey exemplifies the university's commitment to excellence and service. His achievements reflect the values of our institution, and we take great pride in his accomplishments. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Professor Mbarika on this well-deserved honor and celebrate his legacy as an outstanding representative of USIU-Africa.