wfn.org | Africa University Grows in 1996

[owner-umethnews@ecunet.org]

"UNITED METHODIST DAILY NEWS" by SUSAN PEEK on Aug. 11, 1991 at 13:58 Eastern,
about FULL TEXT RELEASES FROM UNITED METHODIST NEWS SERVICE (3323 notes).

Note 3321 by UMNS on Dec. 4, 1996 at 16:53 Eastern (3102 characters).

SEARCH: wrapup, Africa University, 1996
Produced by United Methodist News Service, official news agency of
the United Methodist Church, with offices in Nashville, Tenn., New
York, and Washington.

CONTACT: Linda Green                          609(10-31-71B){3321}
         Nashville, Tenn. (615) 742-5470              Dec. 4, 1996

NOTE:  This story may be used as a sidebar to the year-end wrapup
story UMNS #606 {3318}.

Africa University grows
significantly during 1996

                 by United Methodist News Service

     For Africa University -- United Methodism's institution of
higher education in sub-Saharan Africa -- 1996 was a year of
significant growth both physically and numerically.
     The campus community now has 307 students and 150 faculty,
administrators and support staff. 
     The university has four colleges or disciplines: education,
launched this academic year with 103 students; business
management, opened early in 1996 with 20 candidates for the
masters degree; theology and agriculture.  Women make up 40
percent of the students, an unusually high percentage for higher
education institutions in Africa.
     Beginning next fall, the university will launch a master of
theology program and an undergraduate program in business.
     As a result of action by delegates to the 1996 General
Conference last April, United Methodist churches are asked to
contribute $10 million through apportionments to Africa University
during the 1997-2000 quadrennium and another $10 million for the
institution's endowment fund. 
     Dedicated this year was a health clinic and the Ireson/Kurewa
Center for Agriculture, Natural Resources and Humanities, named in
honor of top United Methodist Board of Higher Education and
Ministry official, the Rev. Roger Ireson, and Africa University's
chief executive, the Rev. John W.Z. Kurewa who plans to retire at
the end of 1997. Construction is also underway for an
agriculture/engineering building.
     In 1996 the university dedicated three residence halls, named
in honor of Bishop Hasbrouck and Mera Hughes, Peter and Eleanore
Kleist, and Odette Kennedy. Four dorms were completed earlier and
another is under construction. 
     The first faculty house, completed this summer, is occupied
by the Patrick Matsikenyri family. A second house is currently
under construction. The university, utilizing volunteer-in-mission
teams plans to build 20 houses to accommodate academic staff and
their families.
      A sports field and complex was also completed in August.
Earth was moved in October to begin construction of the University
Chapel, to be built by the Kwang Lim Methodist Church of Seoul,
Korea. 
     During the year, it was announced that Africa University is
to receive a $1.9 million grant from the United States Agency for
International Development (USAID) to build a library.
     Bishop Alfred Norris of Albuquerque, N.M., was elected
chairman of the Africa University Development Committee,
succeeding Bishop Roy Nichols of Oakland, Calif.
                             #  #  # 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

 To make suggestions or give your comments, send a note to 
 umns@ecunet.org or Susan_Peek@ecunet.org

 To unsubscribe, send the single word "unsubscribe" (no quotes)
 in a mail message to umethnews-request@ecunet.org

-----------------------------------------------------------------------