The clocks stroke 1 pm yesterday Monday October 3, 2011 when history was made with Professor Dominique Mvogo and Professor Edward Tafah Edokat commissioned as the pioneer Pro-Chancellor and Vice-Chancellors, respectively of the University of Bamenda. The ceremony took place in Bambili on the outskirts of Bamenda with Professor Jacques Fame Ndongo, Minister of Higher Education and Chancellor of Academic Orders presiding.

Minister Jacques Fame Ndongo welcomed the creation of the University of Bamenda as a new dawn for higher education in the region and urged the pioneer officials to make it the veritable university of the future. He described the two new officials as “pioneer master planners” of the institution. He recommended equity, equality and participation in building the university. He also announced the posting of a good number of lecturers to the new university as part of the special recruitment of 1,000 university lecturers recently ordered by President Biya.

Announced by President Biya during his landmark outing in Bamenda from December 8-10, 2010 during celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the country’s armed forces, the University of Bamenda was created a few days after. It was organised in March 2011 and pioneer officials appointed on the strength of a Presidential Decree of September 30, 2011. Prof. Mvogo Dominique is also the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Higher Education and Prof. Tafah Edokat Edward, was a Deputy Rector in the University of Dschang, West Region.

Also attending the ceremony Minister Nji Paul Atanga. He commended President Biya for creating the university, saying he has signed a social contract with the North West.