Dakar, Oct 2 (APS) – The Regional Center for Social University Works (Crous) of Diamniadio paid tribute to Amadou Mahtar Mbow, praising the “academic commitment”, the “international leadership” of the former director general of the Unesco (1974 to 1987), died on September 23, at the age of 103
”I bow to the memory of this giant who knew how to combine academic commitment, international leadership and public service,” declared its director, Fama Dieng, in a press release sent to the APS.
According to her, it is with deep sadness that the academic, national and international community learned of the death of Professor Amadou Mahtar Mbow, eminent intellectual and godfather of the second university of Dakar who leaves behind him, “an immeasurable legacy, marked by its unwavering commitment to education, culture, and the dialogue of civilizations.”
”The choice to give his name to the second university of Dakar is a well-deserved tribute to an exceptional life, dedicated to the emancipation of people through knowledge,” she underlined.
”This name is not only a tribute to a brilliant career, but also a recognition of his role in the emancipation of African minds and his fight for universal access to education,” explains Ms. Dieng.
According to him, “the death of Professor Amadou Mahtar Mbow is certainly an immeasurable loss”, but “he remains alive through his works, his ideas, his vision of a proud, educated and radiant Africa which continues to ‘to inspire future generations and the university that bears his name.”
On behalf of the Crous de Diamniadio, the administrative, technical and service staff (PATS), the students of the campus, she expressed her ”eternal gratitude to this exceptional man”, praying at the same time for ”the rest of his soul”, and the perpetuation of his legacy to ”illuminate the path of those who work for a more just, more educated and more humane world.”
Born on March 20, 1921 in Dakar, Amadou Mahtar Mbow grew up in Saint-Louis, a historic city in Senegal, which was a crucible for the training of African elites. At a very young age, he distinguished himself by his commitment to education and his deep desire to serve his country and his continent. After studying at the École Normale William Ponty and the Ecole Normale Supérieure de Saint-Cloud in France, he returned to Senegal with a single objective: to transmit knowledge and participate in the awakening of an independent Africa
A leader at UNESCO with a radiant international career
In 1974, Professor Mbow became Director General of UNESCO, becoming the first African to lead this prestigious international institution. His mandate, marked by constant advocacy for the development of countries in the South, cultural decolonization and the promotion of press freedom, profoundly transformed the organization.
Under his leadership, UNESCO becomes a space for dialogue for peace, culture and universal education. He has been a strong advocate of the “New World Information and Communication Order” (Nomic), an initiative aimed at rebalancing information flows between the North and the South, in order to allow developing countries to control their own story.
Despite numerous pressures and criticisms, he remained faithful to his principles, fervently defending the cause of marginalized nations.
An eternally committed
Professor Amadou Mahtar Mbow never stopped serving, even after leaving UNESCO. At the age of 89, he chaired the National Commission for the Reform of Institutions (CNRI) in Senegal, showing his unwavering commitment to a better Senegal.
This commission, responsible for reflecting on the reforms necessary to improve governance and democracy in Senegal, demonstrates once again his love for his country and his desire to see Senegalese youth equipped to meet the challenges of the future.
In 2015, Senegal decided to honor this exceptional man by giving his name to the second public university in Dakar. Located in Diamniadio, this establishment aims to be a place of learning, openness and innovation, which trains the leaders of tomorrow while remaining deeply anchored in African values.
During his lifetime, the late Amadou Mahtar Mbow offered this university his personal library composed of thousands of books.
MK/SBS/FKS/ASG
