Press Release
Lilongwe: 13th October 2021: The Chairperson of UbuntuNet Alliance for Research and Education Networking, Prof. Stephen Simukanga would like to inform all stakeholders and the entire community that Eng. Dr. Matthews Mtumbuka has informed the UbuntuNet Alliance Board of Trustees of his decision to resign from his position effective 31st December 2021.
Following this decision, the Board of Trustees has accepted Eng. Dr. Mtumbuka’s resignation and has established a Search and Selection Committee to run the process of identifying his replacement.
Eng. Dr. Mtumbuka will leave UbuntuNet Alliance on mutual terms and retains a cordial relationship with the Board of Trustees.
Eng. Dr Mtumbuka joined UbuntuNet Alliance as CEO on 1st May 2019. In his 2.5-year tenure as CEO, he spearheaded the financial stability of UbuntuNet Alliance especially during the Covid-19 pandemic era that threatened the very existence of the organisation and its community. Under his leadership, the Botswana Research and Education Network (BotsREN) became the 17th member of UbuntuNet Alliance.
Eng. Dr Matthews Mtumbuka has been proactive in pushing the UbuntuNet Alliance’s drive to operationalise NRENs in Mauritius, South Sudan and Eswatini. These countries are now at advanced stages of setting up their NRENs, thanks to his relentless efforts, leadership and guidance.
The Chairperson, Members of the Board of Trustees and Management of UbuntuNet Alliance wishes Eng. Dr. Mtumbuka the best of luck in his future endeavors. We believe that as a telecommunications expert, he will remain visible in the community and will continue to advocate for the interests of NRENs.
About UbuntuNet Alliance:
UbuntuNet Alliance is the regional Research and Education Networking organisation for Eastern and Southern Africa. It plans, builds and operates UbuntuNet, the regional high-speed internet network dedicated to research and education in Eastern and Southern Africa. The Alliance also promotes and supports the integration of advanced ICT services and tools in research, teaching and learning, taking advantage of the opportunities that come with the Internet.
The Alliance was established in the latter half of 2005 by five established and emerging National Research and Education Networks (NRENs), namely MAREN (Malawi), MoRENet, (Mozambique), KENET (Kenya), RwEdNet (Rwanda) and TENET (South Africa). The Membership region of the Alliance spans across Eastern and Southern Africa, covering 26 countries. Currently, 16 countries have joined the Alliance and are at different stages of development. The Alliance is incorporated as a Trust in Malawi and has its secretariat in Lilongwe, Malawi.
For further Press Information:
Hastings Ndebvu
Communications Officer
UbuntuNet Alliance
hastings.ndebvu@ubuntunet.net
Twitter: @UbuntuNet
www.ubuntunet.net