On the 12th August 2022, the National University of Lesotho (NUL) together with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) launched the Human Rights Research Chair. This third Professorial Research Chair based in the Faculty of Law is chaired by Dr. Carol Chi Ngang with Advocate ‘Marealeboha Makau as the Research Associate – both from the Faculty of Law.
In his presentation, Dr. Ngang thanked the collaborating partners, namely: The United Nations Development Programme; Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and funded by the United Nations Tripartite Partnership (TPP). He announced that the Human Rights Chair was established in April, 2022 and this is in line with the University’s strategic goals.
“The purpose of the Human Rights Research Chair is mainly to promote research, curriculum development and community engagement. The Research Chair will also provide academic support to various stakeholders in the field of human rights in Lesotho”, Dr. Ngang said.
He expressed his concern over the absence of the Human Rights Commission in the country.
“It is a major concern that efforts made to establish the Commission have not borne any fruits yet it is an important body that will protect the Basotho as the most valuable assets of this country. Therefore, the Human Rights Research Chair will make a significant contribution in shaping the policy formulation for the betterment of Human Rights in Lesotho”, he added.
Dr. Ngang thanked the University management, the Ministry of Law and Justice and all the partners that will be working together in this new journey and everyone who made and gave their contribution in making the launch a success.
In his closing remarks, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Isaac Olusola Fajana, appreciated and thanked everyone who made the Human Rights Research Chair launch a success. He reassured every one of his support in seeing the success of this important initiative.
Professor Fajana also posited that human rights issues still remain a big challenge in Africa and NUL appreciates without any reservation the support in a form of a Research Chair that the UNDP has given to the National University of Lesotho.
“Let me congratulate the Faculty of Law, the Chair Dr. Carol Ngang and his colleagues for bringing this honour to the NUL. I have utmost confidence that the National University of Lesotho will work collectively to deliver on the objectives of the UNDP-NUL Human Rights Research Chair”, Prof. Fajana reaffirmed.
Present among the guests was the Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Law and Justice, Mr Retšelisitsoe Mohale, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP, Ms. Nessie Golakai and representatives of non-governmental organisations.
