After six years at the helm of Chad's Académie de l'Éducation nationale du Sud, Professor Mahamoud Yaya officially passed the baton to Daouda Ahmat Mahamat in a handover ceremony held on September 28, 2026, in Moundou. The event was presided over by the Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research, and Innovation, Dr. Yombatina Sitack. The ceremony took place at the meeting room of the Delegate General of the government to the Logone Occidental province.
During his farewell speech, Professor Mahamoud Yaya expressed pride in having led the Académie du Sud, ensuring the proximity management of the education system in the two Logone regions. He highlighted several achievements, including the effective functioning of the Academies of National Education, management of several crises, and implementation of various reforms. Notable accomplishments under his leadership include improved visibility of the Académie, redimensioning of school establishments, and efforts to combat educational inequalities.
Professor Mahamoud Yaya also mentioned the development of inclusion and biometric enrollment of civil servant teachers as key achievements. He attributed these successes to collective efforts involving administrative and technical staff, delegations, inspections, and all actors within the education system. However, he acknowledged challenges, particularly financial constraints, which hindered the realization of some objectives outlined in annual action plans. Specifically, the Académie's operating budget had not been released for two years.
In his farewell remarks, Professor Mahamoud Yaya stated that he leaves his position with the conviction that he has served the country to the best of his abilities. He announced plans to continue his research activities and contribute to reflections on administrative conception for the benefit of Chad's youth. Minister Dr. Sitack Yombatina, in his address, highlighted Daouda Ahmat Mahamat's academic background and experience in computer science as key factors in his appointment.
The Minister emphasized Daouda Ahmat Mahamat's previous experience within the Academies of National Education, particularly at the Académie de l'Est, where he contributed to developing the Optima software used in the digital management of educational resources. He expressed confidence that the new recteur's expertise in technology, pedagogical innovation, and governance modernization would support the development of the Académie du Sud.
The newly appointed recteur, Daouda Ahmat Mahamat, expressed gratitude to his predecessor, addressing him affectionately as "papa." He acknowledged the guidance and support he received from Professor Mahamoud Yaya. Daouda Ahmat Mahamat outlined his initial plans, including conducting a diagnosis of the Académie du Sud's functioning across different educational levels and identifying areas for improvement in governance, equity, and teaching quality.
Daouda Ahmat Mahamat aims to use the diagnosis results as a foundation for elaborating a new annual action plan. He emphasized his commitment to building on existing achievements and addressing challenges to enhance the Académie du Sud's effectiveness. The change in leadership marks a new chapter for the Académie du Sud, with expectations for continued growth and development under Daouda Ahmat Mahamat's stewardship.
Key points
- Professor Mahamoud Yaya hands over leadership of Chad's Académie du Sud to Daouda Ahmat Mahamat after six years.
- The handover ceremony was presided over by Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research, and Innovation, Dr. Yombatina Sitack.
- Daouda Ahmat Mahamat aims to conduct a diagnosis of the Académie du Sud's functioning to inform a new annual action plan.
