Inaugurated on Monday, July 27, 2026, the new UNESCO Chair at the University of Yaoundé I aims to make Cameroonian research a lever for sustainable development. Placed under the supervision of Prof. Laurent Serge Etoundi Ngoa, it is tasked with modeling natural systems and proposing concrete responses to environmental crises.
The University of Yaoundé I is entering a new dimension. On Monday, July 27, 2026, the solemn inauguration ceremony of its UNESCO Chair was held on campus, led by Prof. Laurent Serge Etoundi Ngoa, Minister of Basic Education and President of the National Commission for UNESCO of Cameroon.
Read more Budget 2027: Motaze launches decisions on useful public spending
The stated challenge is clear: to place the institution at the heart of applied research on ecology. The chair will focus on three pillars: ecological modeling, sustainable development, and geoscience. In other words, understanding how forests, basins, and soils function to better anticipate droughts, floods, and biodiversity loss.
Attendance was significant. Alongside him was Prof. Jacques Fame Ndongo, Minister of State, Minister of Higher Education. Also present were André-Magnus Ekoumou, Permanent Delegate of Cameroon to UNESCO, and Prof. Remy Magloire Dieudonné Etoua, Rector of Yaoundé I and the first holder of the Chair.
Read more Cameroon: BAS is actively searching for President Paul Biya in Europe
The initiative bears the mark of the head of Basic Education. It was under his impetus that the file was taken to Paris. The goal is not to produce theses for libraries. The National UNESCO Commission wants usable models: vulnerability maps, decision support tools for local authorities, data exploitable by technical ministries.
For Prof. Etoua, the chair must become a crossroads. Researchers, students, NGOs, and the private sector are invited to work together. Cameroon, with its Congo basin, Atlantic coast, and savannas, offers a unique observation ground.
In a context where the climate disrupts agricultural calendars and weakens cities, Yaoundé I positions itself. Not as just another university, but as a center capable of exporting expertise.
The chair is launched. Now remains to transform equations into solutions.
Read more Cameroon formalizes its entry into the Pandemic Fund to strengthen its health security
