A professors’ farewell ceremony at IUT

A farewell ceremony was held at the University Institute of Technology (Hamramba campus) of the University of Comoros in Moroni. It was on Saturday 21 October, 2023. Mrs. Cheikh Amina was a Communication professor and former mayor of Bambao ya Pbwani. She is among the three professors, senior cadres and notables who retired from the University of Comoros two years ago. She boasts of having among her former students several cadres who have become ministers, directors, professors and even candidates at the last and next presidential elections. The lady who invited some of her former colleagues is also a trade unionist, an activist and an international consultant. She travelled to many countries as an election observer. Before becoming a professor at IUT, Mohamed Youssouf used to work in the ministry of Land Planning and Environment. ‘‘I like my country, my region and my village of Djumwashongo. I am not introducing myself. Those who know me will tell you who am I ’’ he said. Mr. Youssouf has some of his offspring who studied at the IUT. He is grateful for the young directors who run the Technical Institute today because they were their own students. He never missed an opportunity to come to visit his former colleagues especially during traditional Comorian weddings. Mohamed Soilihi is the first and former Director of the National School of Administration and Commerce (formerly ENAC). ‘‘I did not intend to become a teacher. My first job was in the ministry of Finance in the 1980s. One day, I asked Mr. Rashad (former president of the University of Comoros) if I can give some Management courses at the public high school Said Mohamed Cheikh in Moroni. He told me okay. Since that year, teaching has become my only job,’’ he said. Before the opening of ENAC in the 1990s, he got a scholarship for an internship in France on how to run a high school. When one of his instructors asked him what his plan was for the next five years, he had no say. ‘‘There is no specific training to become a school director in Comoros. That is the first time I learned that special skills are required to become director or superintendent in a school,’’ he said. Mouridi Soilihi was a professor and an expert in International Business. He passed away in 2022. He was the former Cabinet director of the governor of Ngazidja in the 1980s. He also worked as civil Cabinet attaché at the presidency of the Union of Comoros from 2002 to 2006. He was appointed at the Human Resources department of the University of Comoros as assistant director, then Director General between 2007 and 2017. The audience paid tribute to him by reading the holy koranic surate al-fatihah i.e. prologue. May Allah reward him. Ibouroi Ali Toibibou is the administrator and acting president of the University of Comoros. He spoke some soothing words by reminding our honorable retirees that they paid back the pension funds Department almost the money they owe. However, some financial problems remain for the months and years to come. After the farewell ceremony speeches wrapped up, our honorable professors were given certificates of recognition. That Saturday morning event was followed by a lavish cocktail to honor our champions as they should be. Mouzawar Chami, Contributing writer