UC Faculty Awards 2020: Ibrahim Amidou

Ibrahim Amidou is widely known in UC’s Department of Romance and Arabic Languages and Literatures (RALL) as an accomplished and versatile adjunct associate professor. Amidou is hailed as an erudite French language scholar and is well-versed in French literature, culture and civilization of the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. 

His classroom repertoire extends from the ability to not only teach the fundamentals of the French language, but adeptly expound on the writings of French novelist Gustave Flaubert, or he can dish up a tasty presentation on “Togo-style Rice and Veggies,” a common cuisine in his native Togo in West Africa. 

Moreover, his colleagues say he is an enthusiastic and passionate teacher with a broad concern for the total welfare of his students. Amidou says he feels this approach causes a “ripple effect” and fosters academic achievement.

“Over the years Professor Amidou has proven to be one of our most committed and reliable adjunct professors who has provided a valuable support to the French curriculum,” says department head Thérèse Migraine-George.

He is a member of the American Translators Association, serves as an interpreter for the state of Ohio and has helped relaunch a translation certificate course at UC. He belongs to the UC International Sub-Saharan Africa Strategy Group and is scheduled to lead UC’s first Study Abroad trip to Togo in May 2020. He assists youth in the African immigrant community of Greater Cincinnati, whether it be as a soccer coach or as an academic advisor.

He says his professional and personal sense of duty is a way to give back to UC and the community that fostered his own success, and he is constantly improving himself in order to bring skills he has accumulated into the classroom.

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