wfn.org | Africa University perseveres in tough economic time

["NewsDesk" <NewsDesk@UMCOM.ORG>]

June 20, 2003  News media contact: Tim Tanton7(615)742-54707Nashville, Tenn. 
10-31-71BI{330}

By Duane A. Ewers*

NEW YORK (UMNS) - Economic pressures continue to challenge Africa University,
but the United Methodist-related school is forging ahead in its mission of
educating new leaders for Africa. 

"In May, 179 students from 14 countries were graduated from Africa
University," said Vice Chancellor Rukudzo Murapa. "They join with many other
AU graduates who are a proud new cadre of young men and women making a
difference on the African continent."

Murapa gave an update on the school in a report to the Africa University
Executive Committee, which met June 8-9 in New York. The committee discussed
the school's situation and approved increasing student fees in an effort to
raise sorely needed funds.

New buildings continue to be constructed to care for the expanding programs
and student body on the campus, located in Mutare, Zimbabwe. Those include
the second phase of the Jokomo/Yamada Library and the Institute of Peace,
Leadership, and Governance Building, both with funds provided by the United
States Agency for International Development, and the new building for the
Faculty of Health Sciences, with financial support from USAID and the United
Methodist Church. The new Faculty of Health Sciences became operational in
the spring.

Thanks to USAID and the United Methodist Church, all of the buildings are
debt free. USAID has contributed $8.38 million to Africa University in the
10-plus years since the school opened.

Murapa underscored that "the pace at which we are able to realize these
achievements is significantly influenced by the economic constraints
currently experienced in Zimbabwe." 

"In the current climate, we are being challenged to come up with innovative
ways of coping with the ever-rising prices and cost of basic commodities,
including maize meal, cooking oil, bread, as well as fuel and medical
supplies," he said. "The cost of labor has also risen astronomically." It is
also important to note that despite the many shortages, no student is going
hungry, he added.

"I am impressed with how well Africa University has managed its budget in
view of all of the challenges it has faced in terms of inflation (275
percent) and scarcities of all kinds," said Aubrey Lucas, elected treasurer
of the Africa University board. "With good cash management, the university
has been able to end each of the last three years with a balanced budget."

This year's budget is $5.1 million, which includes USAID support for
buildings.

The pressure on the day-to-day budget cannot be overstated, officials said.
"The salary position at Africa University has eroded compared to other
universities in Zimbabwe, resulting in the loss of some professors and
causing economic stress for others," Murapa reported. 

Student fees account for about 25 percent of the budget. To help meet the
budget crunch, the executive committee decided to increase student fees
(tuition, room-and-board, health, and registration) from U.S.$3,950 to
U.S.$5,200. Before May's graduations, the school had 1,123 students enrolled.

The other most important source of income is from the United Methodist
Church's Africa University Fund apportionment. The fact that apportionment
giving for the fund is down 7 percent from a year ago is causing stress on
the budget. 

"Given the political unrest and the economic stress in Zimbabwe, Africa
University is needed now more than when it was founded," Lucas said. "Africa
University is strengthening human resources to address these critical
issues."

"It is clear that 10 years after its founding, Africa University continues to
be one of the denomination's most creative and faith-filled responses to the
multifaceted challenges that confront the African continent," said Jerome
King Del Pino, top staff executive of the United Methodist Board of Higher
Education and Ministry in Nashville, Tenn. 

"In the midst of serious economic deterioration and sociopolitical
uncertainty, the students, faculty and staff remain vigilant in pursuing the
core mission of the university: to provide the highest quality educational
experience that will make a critical difference in the present and future
development of the continent," Del Pino said. "This is not an inconsequential
enterprise, and because it is not, I am confident that United Methodists
across the world will want to continue support with appropriate funding."
# # #
*Ewers is executive director of the Office of Interpretation at the United
Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry in Nashville, Tenn.

 
 

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United Methodist News Service
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