News release prepared by: Olivia Blanco, 785-532-2753, oblanco@k-state.edu
Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2012
Distinguished speaker: College of Business Administration lecture series features chairman, CEO of Kenya's Comcraft Group of Companies
MANHATTAN -- Manu Chandaria, chairman and chief executive officer of the Comcraft Group of Companies in Kenya, will be the fall 2012 speaker for the Kansas State University College of Business Administration's Distinguished Lecture Series.
Chandaria's lecture will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 27, in Forum Hall at the K-State Student Union.
Chandaria is founding chairman of the East African Business Council and the Kenya Private Sector Alliance, an umbrella body representing more than 200 organizations. He is the chairman of the Private Sector Advisory Council and Global Peace Service Alliance in Kenya. He also has been appointed to numerous government boards and committees, including being chairman of the Street Family, which was set up to reduce poverty, revive the economy through private sector initiatives, encourage technological modernization and improve the lives of children. He is a council member of the University of Nairobi, which awarded him a Doctorate of Science.
Chandaria's many honors include being named an elder of the Burning Spear, which is a state commendation from Kenya. He also is a member of the Order of the British Empire, which recognizes distinguished service work with charitable and welfare organizations of all kinds.
Chandaria is a native Kenyan of Indian descent. He has a bachelor's and a master's in engineering from the University of Oklahoma.
"As an entrepreneur and international business person committed to improving the community around him, Dr. Chandaria will give our students a very practical perspective in business," said Ali Malekzadeh, Edgerley family dean of the College of Business Administration. "We are honored to have him at the college."
The Kansas State University College of Business Administration Distinguished Lecture Series brings successful business professionals to campus. Lectures are given every semester and are sponsored by Commerce Bank and the William T. Kemper Foundation.
