Edinburgh, 4 March 2022. – Dr. Valanathan Munsami will be the International Space University’s (ISU) new honorary Chancellor, with a three-year mandate, the institute said. The ISU Chancellor is a representative of the university who participates in convocations, delivers special lectures, and advises the ISU President.
Dr Munsami was chosen after the careful consideration of several top candidates. The ISU said that he embodied the spirit of the institution as an inspirational leader in the international space community. The University found that he was committed to space education and also to unlocking the benefits of space for humanity.
Dr. Munsami is an ISU Space Studies Programme 2009 alumnus and is the 5th honorary Chancellor of the University. He is the first representative of the African region in this position as well. The former chancellors were Pascale Ehrenfreund, Apollo astronaut Buzz Aldrin, former ESA Director General Jean-Jacques Dordain, and science fiction author Arthur C. Clarke.