wfn.org | Vice Chancellor to Retire

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"UNITED METHODIST DAILY NEWS" by SUSAN PEEK on Aug. 11, 1991 at 13:58 Eastern,
about FULL TEXT RELEASES FROM UNITED METHODIST NEWS SERVICE (3284 notes).

Note 3282 by UMNS on Nov. 12, 1996 at 16:22 Eastern (3357 characters).

SEARCH: Kurewa, vice chancellor, Africa University, university,
Zimbabwe, retire
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                       578(10-31-22-71B){3282}
         Nashville, Tenn. (615) 742-5470             Nov. 12, 1996

Africa University vice chancellor 
to retire in December 1997

                 by United Methodist News Service

     The Rev. John Kurewa, the first chief executive of Africa
University in Mutare, Zimbabwe, will retire from that position at
the end of 1997.
     The announcement was made by Bishop Emilio de Carvalho, the
university's chancellor and chairman of the Board of Directors at
the conclusion of the board's meeting in Mutare, Zimbabwe, Nov. 7.
     Initially Kurewa, who functions as the university's
president, asked to retire at the end of 1996 but the board
persuaded him to remain until December 1997 to ensure a smooth
transition to his successor.
     A search committee, headed by Bishop Christopher Jokomo of
Zimbabwe, was formed during the board meeting, to begin the
selection process.
     According to de Carvalho, Kurewa came to Africa University
when it was at the "idea stage and nurtured it into a living,
complex institution and that is no small thing." He said Kurewa
has shown "tremendous commitment and ingenuity" in the development
of Africa University.
      A United Methodist clergyman and scholar, Kurewa has been
involved in the development of the university since the 1988
General Conference approved establishment of a United Methodist-
related university in sub-Saharan Africa. 
     Before beginning his relationship with the University in
1989, Kurewa was secretary to the Parliament of Zimbabwe. He also
had served as the Parliament's deputy secretary.
     Kurewa said, "I look at this modern campus and the vibrant,
international community we have now and remember that I used to
look after cattle in these fields when I was at school at Old
Mutare Mission ... it's been great work."
     Kurewa said he is "planning for quieter days." When a
successor is in place, he plans to work on his 30-acre farm and
complete writing projects that have been idle since coming to the
university in 1989. 
     He has spent the last five years traveling throughout the
United States, Europe and Africa promoting Africa University and
seeking partnerships to support its development. Under his
leadership, the university rapidly outgrew the temporary campus
made of renovated farm buildings and moved into modern facilities
at the official opening in 1994. 
     Today, Africa University has an enrollment of 307 students
and more than $24 million invested in its physical facilities and
endowment for scholarships and other needs. The number of faculty,
administrators and support staff has grown to more than 150
people.
     Each of the University's four faculties -- Agriculture and
Natural Resources, Education, Management and Administration and
Theology -- is solidly established and branching out into new
program offerings and research. Two new programs, a master of
theology and an undergraduate degree in business, will be launched
at the beginning of August 1997.
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