2007 International Alumni Award for Exceptional Achievement

Kandeh K. Yumkella

Dr. Kandeh K. Yumkella, PHD ’91 ACES, is currently Director-General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), and former Minister of Trade, Industry and State Enterprises for his native country, Sierra Leone. With more than 20 years experience in international development, Dr. Yumkella is recognized internationally for his leadership of initiatives to stimulate sustainable growth in the developing world, reduce poverty and improve health, and promote the rational use of resources. 

While serving as Sierra Leone’s Minister of Trade, Dr. Yumkella was instrumental in establishing the structure that led to the peaceful resolution of the civil war that had racked his country for numerous years. He also promoted market reforms, signed Sierra Leone’s accession to the African Regional Standards Organization and facilitated the establishment of economic partnerships between the private and governmental sectors.

Dr. Yumkella’s more recent responsibilities include four years as Director of the Africa and LDCs Regional Bureau, five years as UNIDO Representative and Director of the UNIDO Regional Industrial Development Center in Nigeria and two years as Special Advisor to the Director-General of UNIDO. In these positions he provided leadership and strategic guidance on a wide range of economic development issues, and was actively involved in the development of UNIDO’s thematic plan that focuses on poverty reduction, trade capacity building, and energy and environment initiatives. 

In December 2005, Dr.Yumkella was elected to the position of Director-General of UNIDO, one of very few Africans to achieve this level in the United Nations.  He also chairs the United Nations’ Energy Coordination Group, and travels throughout the world to advocate for sustainable industrial and agribusiness development and economic empowerment of the poor.

Nominate international alumni for this award:

Past recipients

2006

Sophie Lau Leung ’69 LAS

2005

Barry McGaw, PHD ’72 ED

2004

Emil Quinto Javier, MS ’64 ACES

2003

Ashok S. Ganguly, MS '59 ACES, PHD '61 ACES

2002

Atef M. Ebeid, PHD ’62 BUS

2001