A renowned jurist at the service of creativity and cultural heritage
Dschang,UDs/SIC-01/09/25.The presidential decree of August 1, 2025, appointed Prof. Amadou Monkaree KUTNJEM as Director of the Institute of Fine Arts of UDs. Officially installed on September 1st by the Rector of the University of Dschang, Prof. Roger Tsafack Nanfosso, this full professor of Private Law and Criminal Sciences, and practicing lawyer at the Cameroon Bar, is tasked with combining academic rigor and artistic vision to strengthen the influence of this prestigious institution.
It is a highly symbolic homecoming. Originally from Foumban, Prof. Amadou Monkaree KUTNJEM now leads the Institute of Fine Arts, a cultural and academic jewel under the University of Dschang. He succeeds Prof. Mouiche Ibrahim, who has been called to other duties, and thus becomes the guarantor of continuity and development in this one-of-a-kind establishment.
Born on June 6, 1964, in Babessi, Prof. KUTNJEM boasts an exceptional academic journey. From the University of Yaoundé, where he obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Law, to Ahmadu Bello University in Nigeria, where he earned both an LL.M. and a Ph.D. in Law, his trajectory reflects discipline and perseverance. In 2017, he was promoted to Full Professor, crowning a rich and respected career in the fields of Private Law and Criminal Sciences.
An experienced lawyer and renowned scholar, he has successfully combined theory and practice. His numerous publications, both national and international, address a wide range of topics, from land law to criminal law, transitional justice, environmental liability, and the application of OHADA uniform acts. His pioneering work on environmental law, in particular, has given his research a universal reach.
Institutionally, Prof. KUTNJEM is no newcomer. Former Deputy Director of the IBA, at the University of Dschang, coordinator of specialized master’s programs, and active member of several scientific committees, he knows the academic system inside out. This wealth of experience makes him the right person to inject fresh momentum into the Institute of Fine Arts of Foumban.
His appointment carries deep symbolic weight for the Noun Division. Entrusting the leadership of this institute to a native son is both an act of recognition and a mark of trust. The Head of State has thus reaffirmed his commitment to placing competent men and women at the head of our institutions—leaders capable of blending local roots with international openness.
Married and a father, Prof. KUTNJEM embodies the values of discipline, integrity, and perseverance. His arrival at the helm of IBA opens a new chapter, full of promise for the artistic and creative youth of Cameroon./VKK
