Professor Patricia Kameri-Mbote is set to make history as she will become the first woman and only the Sixth individual in the 49-year history of The University of Nairobi to receive a Higher Doctorate degree.
This was revealed on Twitter by the new UoN Vice-Chancellor, Professor Isaac Mbeche, while Mbote was presenting her thesis to the public on Wednesday (17.07.19)
For one to qualify for the Higher Doctorate degree of the UoN, they must among other requirements beholders of the Doctor of Philosophy or Doctor of Medicine degree of the institution or the Doctor of Philosophy degree from any other recognized university of at least five years standing.
Kameri-Mbote studied law at the University of Nairobi, the University of Warwick, the University of Zimbabwe and pursued her doctoral studies at Stanford Law School (Stanford University). She is a Founding Research Director of International Environment Law Research Centre, and the Programme Director for Africa. Kameri-Mbote is currently an Associate Professor of Law at the Faculty of Law of the University of Nairobi and an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya.
The professor has also taught international environmental law at the University of Kansas and is also a member of the IUCN Commission on Environmental Law, a board member of the Advocates Coalition for Development and Environment (ACODE-Uganda) and Women and Law in East Africa (WLEA).
She has consulted for many international and national agencies including the World Bank, United Nations Environment Programme, the United Nations Development Programme, the World Intellectual Property Organization, the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) and the government of Kenya.
The Professor is also the Africa Editor of the Law, Environment and Development Journal, a peer-reviewed academic journal jointly published by IELRC and SOAS. Kameri-Mbote has published widely in the areas of international law, environmental law, women’s rights and property rights. Her research interests include public international law, environment and natural resources law and policy, human rights, women’s rights, intellectual property rights, biotechnology policy and law and economic law.
The Higher Doctorate, the regulations stipulate, shall only be awarded for the original published work such as would give a candidate authoritative international standing in his/her particular field of research.
The submitted works by the candidate are assessed by an Evaluation Panel comprising of Chairman of the University Senate, Deputy Vice-Chancellors, Principal of the relevant College, Dean of the relevant Faculty and Director Board of Postgraduate Studies.
Also in the panel are, three Senior University Scholars- one of whom shall be from the relevant discipline and appointed by the Senate, Not more than three members may be co-opted by Senate where appropriate and an academic registrar.
Others who have received this prestigious degree are Professor Julius Ogeng’o on (September 14 2018), Hon. Justice (Professor) Jackton Ojwang’ (September 4 2018), Professor David Musyimi Ndetei (Dec. 6 2013), Professor Geoffrey Morias Ole Maloiy (October 23 2013) and Professor John Onyango Kokwaro (October 17 2008)
