Former University of Nairobi (UoN) Chancellor Dr. Vijoo Rattansi, who made history as the institution’s first female chancellor and served from 2013 to 2023, has died, the university has announced.

In a statement, the University of Nairobi described Dr. Rattansi as a pioneering leader whose decade-long tenure helped strengthen the institution’s commitment to academic excellence while expanding educational opportunities for financially disadvantaged students through scholarship programmes.

The university said her leadership left a lasting mark on Kenya’s oldest and largest public university, where she served as the ceremonial head during a period of significant transformation in higher education.

“Dr. Vijoo Rattansi was a trailblazer who led the University with dedication, wisdom and grace. Her unwavering commitment to education, equity and excellence will continue to inspire generations,” said UoN Chancellor Prof. Dr. Patrick Verkooijen in a statement announcing her passing.

Appointed Chancellor in 2013, Dr. Rattansi became the first woman to hold the office in the university’s history. During her ten-year tenure, she presided over graduation ceremonies, represented the institution at official engagements and championed initiatives aimed at strengthening academic standards, research and international collaboration.

While the Vice-Chancellor oversees the university’s day-to-day operations, the Chancellor serves as the institution’s ceremonial head and plays an important role in promoting its vision, values and strategic partnerships. University officials said Dr. Rattansi carried out these responsibilities with distinction, earning widespread respect within Kenya’s higher education sector.

Beyond her role at the university, Dr. Rattansi was widely recognised for her philanthropic work through the Vijoo Rattansi Educational Trust, which has supported thousands of bright but financially disadvantaged students across Kenya. Through scholarships and education support programmes, the trust has enabled many learners to complete secondary and university education despite financial hardship.

The University of Nairobi noted that expanding access to education remained one of Dr. Rattansi’s defining priorities throughout her career. Her support for vulnerable students complemented the university’s broader mission of increasing access to quality higher education and nurturing future professionals.

“Her legacy extends far beyond the University of Nairobi. Through her dedication to education and philanthropy, she transformed countless lives and created opportunities for young people to pursue their academic ambitions,” the university said.

Education leaders and alumni have also remembered Dr. Rattansi as a respected advocate for learning, mentorship and institutional development. During her tenure, she witnessed the university navigate evolving demands in higher education, including curriculum reforms, technological transformation and the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Her death has prompted an outpouring of tributes from members of the academic community, former students and public figures, many describing her as a leader who combined humility with a deep commitment to public service.

Dr. Rattansi’s contribution to education extended beyond ceremonial leadership. Through years of philanthropic work, she championed the belief that financial constraints should not prevent talented students from accessing quality education. Her scholarship programmes continue to benefit learners from disadvantaged backgrounds, many of whom have gone on to build careers in medicine, engineering, education, law and other professions.

As Kenya’s first female Chancellor of the University of Nairobi, Dr. Rattansi is widely credited with breaking barriers for women in university leadership while reinforcing the institution’s standing as a centre of academic excellence.

The University of Nairobi said it will continue to honour her legacy through its commitment to inclusive education, academic excellence and service to society. Funeral and memorial arrangements are expected to be announced by the family and the university in due course.