The African Scholars Association Ireland (AfSAI) is proud to celebrate Dr Sam Ogwu and Engr. Dr Mary Ajide, who were recognised at the UCD Volunteer Recognition Event on Saturday, 13 June 2026, held at the University Club, University College Dublin. The event was organised to honour volunteers whose continued dedication and service have made a significant contribution to the UCD community.
Bringing together a committed group of volunteers for an afternoon of appreciation, reflection, and connection, the event highlighted the enduring value of service within higher education. The programme included registration and welcome, opening remarks by Colin Scott, UCD Registrar, on the impact of long-term service, reflections from Gillian Durnin, Director of Alumni Relations, on the role of volunteers in the alumni community, a commemorative group photograph, and a networking lunch.
The recognition of Dr Sam Ogwu and Engr. Dr Mary Ajide is both timely and deeply deserved. Their volunteer contributions reflect the very best of university citizenship: a willingness to give time, energy, expertise, and care in support of students, alumni, and the wider academic community. Their service demonstrates that universities are strengthened not only by scholarship and research, but also by the people who invest in building supportive, inclusive, and connected communities.
Volunteerism plays a vital role in the life of any university. It supports mentorship, fosters belonging, expands opportunities for students and graduates, and helps institutions sustain a culture of engagement beyond the classroom. In this context, the contributions of Dr Ogwu and Dr Ajide stand out as important examples of leadership in action.
Through sustained engagement, both honourees have contributed to the growth and advancement of the university community. Their service has helped create stronger pathways for mentorship, alumni engagement, collaboration, and community building. Their recognition affirms the value of giving back to academic institutions and of supporting others in ways that leave a lasting institutional impact.
For AfSAI, this moment is also significant because it reflects the growing contribution of African scholars and professionals within Ireland’s higher education landscape. Dr Sam Ogwu and Engr. Dr Mary Ajide exemplify a form of leadership grounded in service, generosity, and responsibility to community. Their recognition at UCD underscores the important role African scholars continue to play in shaping university life through mentorship, inclusion, advocacy, and active participation.
At a time when universities increasingly seek to build communities that are more connected, diverse, and socially responsive, volunteer leaders such as Dr Ogwu and Dr Ajide remind us that institutional progress is often made possible by those who serve quietly, consistently, and with purpose. Their example demonstrates that volunteerism is not peripheral to higher education; it is central to the health and vibrancy of academic communities.
AfSAI warmly congratulates both recipients on this important recognition. Their honour is a testament not only to their personal commitment, but also to the wider culture of service and leadership that strengthens institutions and inspires others. As members of the African scholarly community in Ireland, they continue to show what it means to lead through impact, generosity, and meaningful engagement.
Their recognition should serve as encouragement to current and future scholars, professionals, and alumni to remain actively involved in their academic communities. Through mentorship, volunteer service, and collective responsibility, there is immense potential to build institutions that are more supportive, inclusive, and forward-looking.
AfSAI celebrates Dr Sam Ogwu and Engr. Dr Mary Ajide for this well-earned honour and thanks them for the example they set. Their service reminds us that leadership is not only about achievement, but also about contribution, and that the future of higher education is strengthened by those willing to serve.
