University of Buea honors Pioneer PhD Graduate in Special Education

Physically challenged Ugandan Born Elija Musenyente finishes with an A Ugandan PHD Laureate, Dr Elijah Musenyente of the 2012 Scholarship awarded by the European Commission under the Erasmus Mundus Intra- ACP Mobility Program to study a PHD in Special Education at the University of Buea, has been honored with a special sent off launched by Authorities of the University of Buea.

Congratulating Dr Elijah during the Special launch that also served as a symbolic graduation ceremony for the laureate Dr. Nalova Lyonga lauded the feat of Dr Elijah for completing his program in record three years with an outstanding result. Commending Dr Elijah for his tenacity, sense of sacrifice and dedication of service, Prof Nalova Lyonga also described the pioneer PHD graduate in Special Education as a model worth emulating by other students. Overwhelmed by the special honor accorded him by the University Authorities, Dr Elijah promised to efficiently and professionally participate and implement more programs as well as policies geared towards the inclusion and empowerment of persons with disabilities when he returns to Uganda. Dr Elijah got impaired at the age of four from an injection administered by a non professional person in Uganda. Since then it has been a long process in the development of coping skills and great challenges and barriers to arrive at the level of a PhD. After his primary/ secondary Education, he was admitted at one of Uganda’s University to study a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Finance. On graduation, he decided to change to Special education profession, motivated by the ambition to struggle for equality and inclusion of persons with disabilities.

Dr Elija Musenyente three years course at the University of Buea, based his research on Physical infrastructure in secondary schools and the performance of persons with physical disabilities in Cameroon. Upon graduation, he says he has great interest in the areas of capacity building for service providers as well as creating awareness of the challenges faced and the means of addressing specific needs of persons with disabilities. Dr. Elija is the first University of Buea PhD graduate in the Special education Program.