The career of Binghamton University professor Ali Mazrui will be celebrated during this week's convention of the New York African Studies Association.

The event will be held Friday and Saturday at the University Downtown Center on Washington Street.

Dr. Mazrui is director of the Institute of Global Cultural Studies at Binghamton University. He turned 80 years old in February.

Mazrui has written dozens of books and had many articles published by a wide variety of newspapers and magazines around the world. He also developed a 1986 television series called "The Africans: A Triple Heritage."

The African Studies Association has organized panels for the convention for Mazrui's peers and younger scholars to critically examine his works.

The association has established an annual book award in the professor's name to acknowledge his support for the organization and his "unique and substantial contributions to African studies."

Speaking on WNBF Radio's Binghamton Now program Wednesday, Mazrui said he's expecting many people will be on hand at the association event, including some from Kenya, Nigeria and France.

Mazrui said he's very pleased with the number of scholars and authors who are planning to attend the convention in Binghamton.

As for his future, Mazrui said he has to "recognize the march of time" and he expects he "will probably retire in a couple of years." He said he's "sure that will be a new experience."

The professor noted he's been extremely busy in recent decades, so he views the prospect of retirement as somewhat "frightening."

Mazrui said he would look forward to doing more traveling to some places that he views with special interest. Although he's a frequent traveler, Mazrui acknowledged many of the spots he's visited are places where he's been invited to speak. He said "retirement may create new opportunities for other countries."

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