Major shake up at ICT University.

Prof Tonye brings to the ICT University decades of experience in the higher education milieu. The visiting professor to universities across Africa and Europe, will be expected to take the ICT University to the next level. 

His appointment was made public via a brief statement published on the verified Facebook page of the ICT University. 

In the statement, the University wrote: "The ICT University is delighted to announce a milestone event: the Induction Ceremony of the new Vice-Chancellor, a celebration of leadership, institutional growth, and our ongoing commitment to academic excellence". 

According to the statement, the new VC will be commissioned into office today Thursday, December 11. 

"On this special day, we will proudly honor Prof Jean-Emmanuel Pondi first Honorary Vice-Chancellor, in recognition of his remarkable contributions and the indelible impact he has made on our university community," the statement announced. 

It added that: "We will also officially dedicate the new Pr. Jean-Emmanuel Pondi Auditorium, a lasting tribute to his legacy of excellence and service". 

"At the same time, The ICT University is pleased to welcome Prof Emmanuel Tonye, who assumes office as the incoming Vice-Chancellor, bringing vision, experience, and a deep commitment to advancing our mission". 

"We are equally honored to welcome Prof Awono Onana Charles, former Director of the Yaoundé Polytechnic, as the new Vice-President of ICT University. His expertise and leadership strengthen our institution at a pivotal moment of expansion and innovation," continued the statement. 

But who is the new VC?

Prof Emmanuel Tonyé was born on March 10, 1952, in Etouha in the Littoral Region. 

In 1981, he defended his post-graduate thesis on contribution to the study of microstrip-semiconductor structures used in microwave microelectronics at the National Polytechnic Institute of Toulouse, France.

In 1987, he defended his doctoral thesis on contribution to the study of microstrip multipoles used in microelectronics, also at same university in Toulouse.

In 1981, he obtained post-graduate diploma in business management from the Institut de préparation aux affaires in Toulouse.

The varsity don and telecommunications specialist has been teaching at the National Advanced School of Engineering, Polytechnic Yaounde since 1987. 

From 1999 to 2005 and from 2010 to 2012, he was head of the Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications Department at Polytechnique Yaounde.

In 2000, he contributed to the creation and implementation of the Telecommunications Engineering programme at Polytechnic Yaounde. 

Prof Tonye was Technical Advisor to the Minister of Higher Education from 1999 to 2005. He was visiting professor at the University of Burgundy in France from 2006 to 2012 (one month per year) for teaching and research in the field of electronics and telecommunications.

He was a visiting professor from 1990 to 2010 at several universities in Africa and the Caribbean including Benin, Gabon, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal and Haiti.

From 2012 to 2017, he was Vice-Rector for Research, Cooperation and Relations with the Business World at the University of Yaounde I. Since May 1, 2019, he has been Vice-Chancellor of the Agenla Academy University Institute in Yaounde.

Since 2008, he has been coordinator of the Master's programmes in telecommunications and information systems security and communications in distance learning.

Since 2010, he has been coordinator of the focal team of the Virtual University hosted by the University of Yaounde I. He holds numerous positions of academic and managerial responsibility Career. 

Together with a colleague, he is developing a system for measuring urban pollution levels. He is the author of eight books, two theses and around a hundred publications on telecommunications, remote sensing and educational engineering. 

In particular, Prof Tonye has carried out work to promote the teaching of African languages through the use of IT tools.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3652 of Thursday December 11, 2025