Webinar Registration - African Book Talk - 'Undeterred

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African Book Talk: "Undeterred - A Rural Boy's Journey to the Pinnacle of Academia"

Columbia Global Centers | Nairobi is pleased to introduce our ongoing virtual book series featuring African authors! With this series, we hope to offer a platform where African writers can engage a global audience, offering not just their work but exciting perspectives on how personal, political, and cultural experiences drive their storytelling

In his book “Undeterred – A Rural Boy’s Journey to the Pinnacle of Academia,” Prof. John Akama presents his unique and very personal story. This is unlike most of his contemporaries who have chosen not or have yet to document their personal experiences. Prof. Akama grew up in a simple rural African setting in Kenya’s hinterland and was raised by a typical Kenyan peasant family with meager resources and limited frills. He went through early childhood enculturation and basic education in rural Kenya schools, characterized by limited educational resources, scant infrastructure, and minimal facilities.

Through High School and university, his path was characterized by daunting challenges and setbacks. Being one who does not give up easily, and notwithstanding the many odds encountered, he managed to succeed on several fronts to get to the pinnacle of academia and university leadership. Prof. Akama’s discourse is a vivid testimony that all of us, as human beings, can overcome many life challenges that come our way if we are guided by principles of determination, selflessness, focus, commitment, and hard work.

Author:
Prof. John S. Akama
Vice-Chancellor - Kisii University

Discussants:
Dr. George Nyandoro
Faculty Member, Department of Languages, Linguistics and Literature - Kisii University

Dr. Margaret Barasa
Faculty Member, Department of Languages, Linguistics and Literature - Kisii University

Moderator - Wendy Njoroge
Bookish Curator and Entrepreneur, Reading Advocate