Gold Medal For Paul Biya

 The Conference of Italian University Rectors awarded a gold medal to President Paul Biya Yesterday at a ceremony at the University of Rome Tor Vergata.

The University of Rome Tor Vergata provided the setting yesterday afternoon for an academic exercise of a special twist. It was an occasion to appraise scientific cooperation between the University communities of Italy and Cameroon and above all to reward a Statesman who has taken concrete actions to promote culture, education and research. That Statesman is none other than President Paul Biya whose dedication to the persuit of academic excellence, the promotion of cultural revival and the widening of the frontiers of scientific research ignited the respect and honour of the academic community of Italy. The arrival of President Paul Biya and First Lady Chantal Biya at the faculty of economics of the Rome Tor Vergata University, set the ball rolling. Professor Guiseppe Novelli, Rector of the University, and Professor Gaetano Manfredi, President of the conference of Italian University Rectors were on hand to welcome the Cameroon First Couple. The National anthems of Italy and Cameroon were played out by the University of Yaounde I choir to the delight of many admirers before Professor Manfredi took the floor to welcome their august guests. Taking the cue from the President of the Conference of Italian University rectors was the main speaker of the day, Professor Vittorio Colizzi, UNESCO Chair of the University of Rome.
With scholarly exuberance, Professor Vittorio Colizzi spelt out the contributions of President Paul Biya to the growth of education, the modernisation of scientific research and the rivival of culture in Cameroon. By creating more Universities in Cameroon, reforming higher education, creating and reviving the cultural Centre in Yaounde, providing funding for University research, President Paul Biya has contributed enormously to modernising education and culture. Professor Vittorio Colizzi listed many other actions taken by the Head of State to set Cameroonian education and culture on the rails of excellence. For these actions that...