wfn.org | Africa University's enrollment rises as other schools struggle

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

Feb. 25, 2004 News media contact: Linda Green 7 (615)742-5470 7 Nashville,
Tenn. 7 E-mail: newsdesk@umcom.org 7 ALL-AF-AA-I {073}

NOTE: Photographs and a sidebar, UMNS story #074, are available at
http://umns.umc.org.

A UMNS Report
By Andra Stevens*	  

Early in a conversation with Nelly Bupe, one notices her quiet confidence. 

The 20-year-old is a leader in her United Methodist youth group in
Copperbelt, Zambia. The desire for a role in shaping how resources are used
in her country brought her to Africa University.
 
"I came here because I wanted to do my degree in a specified period," Bupe
says. "It's better than going to the national universities, where there are a
lot of strikes and demonstrations."

In Zambia, Zimbabwe and elsewhere on the continent, state institutions are
Africa University's main competition, and they're in trouble. At the
University of Zimbabwe, for example, strikes and shutdowns meant no
graduation for undergraduates last year.

Last spring, more than 4,000 students applied for admission to Africa
University. Nearly 25 percent of the applications came from outside Zimbabwe
and from new areas - Togo, Benin and Eritrea. These were record numbers for
the university. It had planned to admit only 300 new students. Under
pressure, it enrolled 400, and the total student population rose to just
under 1,300. 

Taking more students than planned means lecture rooms and dormitories are at
capacity. Some areas, such as library, computer, food, water and sewage
services, are barely coping. The university is adapting but feeling the
strain. 

Bupe is in the largest faculty (department), humanities and social sciences,
which has 388 students. Business (351 students) and education (276 students)
aren't far behind. 

For her and first-year students, Africa University stands out. They talk
about the quality of the facilities - classrooms, residence halls, library
and laboratories - and about the beauty of the surroundings. But other
factors have drawn them to the school too.

"This university gives people like me a chance to see their dreams come true,
to reach their goals," says 23-year-old David Duncan. 

When the Tanzanian learned that Africa University offers assistance to
students who don't have the means to pay tuition, he applied and made his
case for a scholarship. While awaiting an answer, he raised a few hundred
dollars from relatives. Duncan was close to giving up before the university
awarded him a $1,500 scholarship.

The chance to learn from faculty and alongside students from across Africa
struck a chord with Nday Kabange Heritier from the Democratic Republic of
Congo. He's thrilled to be in a learning environment with 25 countries
represented and where 47 percent of the students are women.

That diversity - of languages, cultures, experiences, challenges and ideas -
and its impact on learning are attracting new partners and collaborators to
Africa University. 

Last October, the United Nations Environment Program invited Africa
University to its headquarters in Kenya for discussions on launching a
comprehensive training program on environmental issues and challenges in
Africa.

"This is the place where they want to offer that kind of training," says
Fanuel Tagwira, the university's representative in the U.N. discussions,
"because they see it radiating out to other countries and reaching more
people through Africa University."

Relevance and impact are key elements of a new collaboration with the
University of Fort Hare in South Africa focusing on educational leadership
management and development. Africa University picked a community - the
Chimanimani district, southeast of Mutare - and enrolled a group of parents,
teachers, school administrators and local leaders. 

Educational levels in the group range from eighth grade to undergraduate.
Depending on what they started with, members of the group will earn
certificates, diplomas, bachelor's and master's degrees. 

"We are equipping people with the skills, knowledge and attitudes to be able
to make change in the local community. ... It will have an impact not only on
education but on families and on community life," says James Quarshie, dean
of the faculty of education.

Africa University offers bachelor's and master's degree programs in
agriculture, the arts and social sciences, business, education and theology.
Academic and community service programs are also offered through the
Institute of Peace, Leadership and Governance and its outreach office. The
university launched its sixth faculty, health sciences, this year. 

More information on the school is available by contacting the Africa
University Development Office, P.O. Box 340007, Nashville, TN 37203-0007;
phone: (615) 340-7438; e-mail: audevoffice@gbhem.org.
# # #
*Stevens is a communications consultant and former director of information at
Africa University. This article first appeared in the winter 2004 issue of
Africa University Today, a newsletter jointly produced by the United
Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry and United Methodist
Communications.

 
 

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United Methodist News Service
Photos and stories also available at:
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