Goolam Mohamedbhai, who originates from Mauritius, did his undergraduate and postgraduate studies in Civil Engineering at the University of Manchester, UK, and later his postdoctoral research at the University of California, Berkeley. He joined the University of Mauritius in 1972 and served as its Vice-Chancellor from 1995 to 2005. He was Secretary-General of the Association of African Universities, President of the International Association of Universities, and a member and Vice-Chair of the governing Council of the United Nations University. He is the recipient of several honorary doctorates and awards.