Hensard University Appoints Prof Kumar As Pioneer VC

Dr. Dileep Kumar M., a Professor of Strategy and Organisational Behaviour, has been named the first Vice Chancellor of Hensard University, Toru-Orua.

The university management also announced the appointment of Professor Prekeyi Tawari-Fufeyin, as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, and Mrs. Evelyn Umukoro, a highly experienced university administrator who spent 21 years at the University of Benin, as the Registrar.

For 21 years, Prof Kumar taught Strategic Management, International Business, Entrepreneurship, Project Management, Human Resource Management, Consumer Behaviour, Behavioural Sciences, Organisational Behaviour, Research Methods, Research, and Business Consultancy Strategies in the Netherlands, Belgium, Georgia, South Africa, UAE, Bahrain, Sultanate of Oman, Ukraine, Turkey, Indonesia, Malaysia, Morocco, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Vietnam, and Cambodia in the Netherlands, Belgium, Georgia, South Africa, and UAE.

“Hensard University finds in Professor Kumar an internationally reputed scholar, teacher, researcher, and mentor, whose works align with Hensard’s unique approaches to higher education,” said a delighted Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, Chairman of Henry Seriake Foundation, which established the university.

“The thrust of research, his precocious publications, patents, global experience, and intellectual status, match the benchmarks that Hensard University has set to produce global leaders whose relevance would be drawn from their commitment to improving communities and the larger society.”

Professor Kumar joined Hensard University from Nile University of Nigeria, Abuja, where he was the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Dean, the Faculty of Management Sciences. He has published 8 books and 3 monographs, more than 170 national and international high-impact publications, including 50 plus ISI and Scopus; 4 patents, and 17 copyrights.

Professor Kumar graduated first class, BSc Science from Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala, India, and holds a Doctorate in Business Administration from International University Georgia, a PhD in Business Management, University Kottayam, Kerala, an M Phil. in Labour Studies of Labour Studies Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai, a Master’s in Human Resources, and another in Management and General Management from Sree Sankaracharya University, Kerala, and P.G.D.B.A (MBA equivalent) of Business Management, Alagappa University, Karaikudi.

He also has diplomas in Labour Law, Hospital Administration, Human Resource Management, Computer Application, and Multidata Software Solutions.

“I am glad to be at Hensard University as we start the unique transformation of people so that they can improve society. Hensard would be at the forefront of seeking out new frontiers of knowledge in the search for answers to challenges humanity faces. Our research centres, institutes, international linkages, dual certifications, and the dedication of my colleagues are available as we commit to serving our students and communities the Hensard advantage,” Professor Kumar said.

Professor Prekeyi Tawari-Fufeyin, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, is a results-oriented Environmental Management professional with a background in pollution studies and environmental toxicology, community development, and partnerships.

She was a Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, Director of External Linkages, and Director of several University Centres at different universities where she has supervised over 10 PhD students, over 25 M.Sc students, and over 60 B.Sc students.  She published over 60 articles in Academic Journals.

She was the Best Graduating Student in Hydrology at the University of Benin in 1983 and has two Master’s in Aquatic Ecology and in Health Planning and management.

Her Ph.D. is in Environmental Toxicology and Pollution Studies, from the University of Benin including one year bench work at the University of Leeds, England.

Professor Tawari-Fufeyin has taught at the University of Benin, and Western University, Oghara. She is a Fellow of the International Society of Comparative Education, Science and Technology (FISCEST).

Mrs. Evelyn Umukoro, the Registrar, is a highly experienced university administrator who spent 21 years at the University of Benin, where she began as an Administrative Officer in 2002 and held the positions of Assistant Registrar, Senior Assistant Registrar, Principal Assistant Registrar, and Deputy Registrar (Establishments) until 2021 when she joined Hensard University.

She earned a B.Ed (Social Sciences) with a focus on Geography from the University of Benin in 1982 and an M.Ed (Educational Management) in 1994. Since 2002, she has worked as a University Administrator in a higher education institution.

“I have articulated programmes and agenda for Deans, Heads of Department, and Directors to promote quality academic product delivery,” Mr. Umukoro a Member of the Nigeria Institute of Management (NIM) and Member of the Association of Nigerian Universities Professional Administrators (ANUPA).

They have all since resumed.