Who is Prof. Alioune Badara Kandji, the new Rector of UCAD? Thursday, March 6, 2025 The Cheikh Anta Diop University of Dakar (UCAD) has a new Rector. He is Prof. Alioune Badara Kandji. This specialist in English literature was, until his appointment, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities (Flsh). Prof. Alioune Badara Kandji, Dean of the Faculty of Letters and Humanities (Flsh), is the new Rector of Cheikh Anta Diop University (UCAD). He was appointed this Wednesday at the weekly meeting of the Council of Ministers by the President of the Republic following a call for candidates. He replaces Prof. Aminata Niang Diène who was Acting Rector following the departure of Prof. Ahmadou Aly Mbaye last September. Mr. Kandji is a specialist in English literature. He has a rich academic and administrative career within the Flsh. Between 2012 and March 2025, he was in turn head of the English department, assessor of the Flsh, Acting Dean and Dean since 2021. From February 2019 to January 2020, Alioune Badara Kandji was president of the Research Commission of the Flsh of the Ucad. On March 5, the Flsh organized its traditional back-to-school drink, in the presence of the Acting Rector, Prof. Aminata Niang Diène. According to an information note, it was an opportunity to honor retirees, to celebrate excellence through the promoted at Cames but also to welcome new recruits in the friendship and cordiality that are the basis of relations in the university. This meeting, it is specified, is also the time to take stock of the pedagogical situation of the faculty. The Dean, Prof. Alioune Badara Kandji said that all the exams of the normal session have been done and the deliberations and results available on the blogs of the various departments. Mr. Kandji said that the remedial sessions are scheduled for the coming days. In other words, the faculty is in the process of turning the corner and making up for lost time. "It is therefore a real pleasure for me to be the Dean, rather a member of this family who has shown resilience," added Prof. Kandji. He praised the efforts made by all the components and the solidarity they have shown. The Dean also welcomed the results obtained at Cames by the faculty's teacher-researchers. Indeed, it is specified, the 15 assistant professors and the 22 lecturers presented to the Cames aptitude lists did 100% against 90% among full professors. "These results reflect the efforts of the recipients, but also the efforts of the faculty to support teaching and research," he says. But he noted that the results could have been better if the reforms of Cames had not "disoriented many colleagues". Aliou KANDElesoleil.sn