Dr. Towela Nyirenda-Jere works in the Regional Integration, Infrastructure and Trade Programme at the NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency as a Principal Programme Officer focusing on policy, legal and regulatory aspects of infrastructure and services. Significant milestones in her work with the NEPAD Agency include the development of an online database of ICT experts, launch of the Southern Africa Internet Governance Forum, the development of an online training programme in Internet Governance tailored to African stakeholders, the launch and holding of 3 editions of the Africa School on Internet Governance. She holds a PhD in Electrical Engineering (Networking and Telecommunications) from the University of Kansas, a Master of Arts in Contemporary Diplomacy (Internet Governance), an ACCA Diploma in Financial Management and is a qualified Project Management Professional (PMP) with the Project Management Institute (USA). Prior to her NEPAD appointment she was the Projects Coordinator at the Malawi Polytechnic, University of Malawi. From 2004-2007, Dr. Nyirenda-Jere was the Technical Director at ICT Networks Ltd, a local ICT networking, design and installation company based in Blantyre, Malawi. During this time she managed several large ICT installations in the banking, academic and public sectors in Malawi. From 2002-2005, Dr. Nyirenda-Jere was a Senior lecturer with the University of Malawi and lectured in Telecommunications, Control Systems and Information Technology. She has served as a United Nations Volunteer (UNV) with the Cisco Networking Academy Program and as a facilitator for the British Council InterAction Leadership Program. She is a member of the Malawi Institution of Engineers, a member of the Internet Society (ISOC) and a member of the Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). She also serves on the IEEE Ad-Hoc committee on Africa Activities, the IGF Multi-stakeholder Advisory Group (MAG) and represents NEPAD on the ICANN Government Advisory Council (GAC). She continues to advocate for increased awareness among African policy makers and stakeholders of the importance and significance of Internet Governance, infrastructure development and ICT policy processes at national and continental level.
