Noble Laureate and Human Rights Activist, Prof Wole Soyinka has been appointed as an Arts Professor of Theatre at the New York University, Abu Dhabi (NYUAD).
Soyinka’s appointment which was confirmed in a statement released on August 23, 2022, will see him become the first-ever Nobel prize winner to be part of the NYUAD faculty.
According to a statement on NYUAD’s website, Soyinka “will play a key role towards building the University’s deep strength within the arts and its growth as a preeminent research and teaching university and world-class leader in global higher education.”
Soyinka first became a part of the NYUAD community as a Writer-in-Residence in 2019. His visit then was through a joint invitation from the African Studies, Film and New Media, History, Literature and Creative Writing, and Theater programs, hosted by the NYUAD Institute and supported by other offices across the University.
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Vice-Chancellor of NYUAD, Mariet Westermann described his appointment as a great honour for the institution.
She said, “It is a great honour to have Wole Soyinka, a world-renowned artist, academic, and activist, a true citizen of the world and a Nobel laureate join our NYUAD community.”
“Our location in Abu Dhabi, a transnational crossroads for the exchange of cultural and artistic traditions, positions NYUAD uniquely to catalyze new creativity and discourse. We are excited to provide a home in the UAE for the beauty and power of Soyinka’s contributions to our understanding of our histories and our humanity.”
NYUAD Provost Arlie Petters said, “Soyinka has built an impressive legacy in his home country of Nigeria as well as Africa and the entire world. The students he has taught and mentored, and the legion of teachers who have translated, developed and extended his ideas, remain the most tangible and long-lasting legacy. Our community is privileged to be part of that journey and his ongoing work that will impact generations to come.”