EQUITY Group Holdings Plc Chief Executive and Managing Director Dr James Mwangi has been appointed to the Columbia Global Centers – Nairobi Advisory Board. He will work with the board to steer the Centre on pertinent regional matters and emerging issues such as leadership, technological advances and higher educational advances in the region.
In his welcome remarks, Dr Lee Bollinger, President of Columbia University, noted the vast opportunities in the region called for synergy as part of the university’s long-term ambition to engage in global conversations.
“We believe Dr Mwangi’s experience in the region as well as wealth of knowledge will be instrumental to this advisory board and guide the university on strategic initiatives and endeavors within the region,” he said.
Columbia Global Centers – Nairobi is part of a network of nine global centers associated with Columbia University in New York. The Centers’ aim to create opportunities in research, scholarship and teaching around the world. They also aim to expand Columbia’s mission as a global University.
The Nairobi Center serves as a regional hub for research and collaboration as part of Columbia University’s strategy to achieve a global presence, and links the continent to Columbia’s scientific rigour, technological innovation, and academic leadership. The Center provides Columbia students and academics with a base from which to conduct research in and for Africa and works closely with policymakers, governments, and African regional institutions.
Dr Mwangi is also on the Global Advisory Council of VISA, in addition to serving as the current chairman of the Vision 2030 Delivery Board. He also served on the Clinton Global Initiative, the G8 New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition, and the Global Agenda Council on New Economic Thinking of the World Economic Forum.
He is a guest lecturer at Lagos Business School, MIT, Harvard, Columbia, IESE, and Stanford where the Equity Bank model is a case study. He is also the Chancellor of Meru University College of Science and Technology. Recently, he was also appointed as an IFC Economic Advisor.
