Prof. Patrick Verkooijen, a Dutch environmentalist and academic, has officially assumed the position of Chancellor of the University of Nairobi (UoN). He was appointed by President William Ruto for a five-year term starting in January 2024, succeeding Dr. Vijoo Rattansi. Verkooijen brings with him experience in climate change adaptation and sustainable development.
Verkooijen currently serves as CEO of the Global Center on Adaptation (GCA), an organization focused on climate change adaptation. He has worked closely with Ban Ki-Moon, the former UN Secretary-General, and has been involved in projects across over 30 countries. Verkooijen co-founded the Africa Adaptation Acceleration Program in partnership with the African Development Bank. The initiative is a $25 billion program aimed at improving climate resilience across Africa, with $6 billion already secured.
Prior to his work at GCA, Verkooijen held the role of Special Representative for Climate Change at the World Bank. During his tenure, he launched the Carbon Pricing Leadership Coalition, a global initiative on carbon pricing, and led the Forest Investment Program, a $1.6 billion project focusing on sustainable land management in Asia, Latin America, and Africa.
Verkooijen holds a PhD in Sustainable Development Diplomacy from Wageningen University in the Netherlands, a Master of Public Administration from Harvard University, and a Master’s in Social and Political Philosophy from the University of Amsterdam. He has held academic positions, including as a Professor of Practice at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University.
In recognition of his work in climate advocacy, the University of Nairobi awarded him a Doctor of Science, Honoris Causa, in 2022. He also serves as the Distinguished Chair of The Wangari Maathai Institute for Peace and Environmental Studies at UoN.
At the University of Nairobi’s 71st graduation ceremony, newly appointed Chancellor Prof. Patrick Verkooijen shared a visionary speech with the class of 2024. He highlighted the launch of the “UoN Big 5 Initiatives,” a series of transformative projects aimed at reshaping education, research, and leadership at the university.
“We celebrate our graduates and launch the transformative UoN Big 5 initiatives! These projects will reshape the future of education, research, and leadership in Africa,” Verkooijen said. His commitment to equipping the university with cutting-edge research capabilities, particularly in climate change and sustainability, was at the forefront of his message.
With an extensive background as CEO of the Global Center on Adaptation, Verkooijen’s initiatives are expected to boost UoN’s role in fostering solutions to pressing global challenges, particularly climate resilience. He encouraged graduates to embrace their leadership roles, stating, “The future of Africa depends on our ability to innovate, adapt, and lead.”
