Past Program/Event

Dr. Ali A. Mazrui was born in Mombasa, Kenya in 1933. After various university tenures worldwide, he is now Professor in the Humanities and Director of the Institute of Global Cultural Studies at Binghamton University, Professor-at-Large at the University of Jos in Nigeria, and Chancellor of the Jomo Kenyatta University in Kenya – an appointment made by Kenya’s Head of State.

Dr. Mazrui obtained his B.A. with Distinction from Manchester University, his M.A. from Columbia University, and his doctorate from Oxford University. He once served as Vice-President of the International Political Science Association and has lectured in five continents. He has also served on the Board of Directors of the American Muslim Council and is on the Board of the Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding.

In 2005, the American journal Foreign Policy and the British Journal Prospect nominated Dr. Mazrui among the top 100 public intellectuals alive in the world. The President of Kenya has awarded him the National Honour of Commander of the Order of the Burning Spear, First Class; and the President of South Africa has made him Grand Companion of Oliver Tambo.

He has written more than thirty books, as well as articles for publications such as the New York Times, The Economist and the International Herald Tribune. Dr. Mazrui’s television work includes the widely discussed 1986 series The Africans: A Triple Heritage.

Dr. Mazrui is widely consulted on many issues including constitutional change and educational reform. He has been involved in a number of United Nations projects on matters ranging from human rights to nuclear proliferation. He is also internationally consulted on Islamic culture and Muslim history.

Presenting sponsor: The Ohio State University Middle East Studies Center
Additional support provided by: The Ohio State University Center of African Studies