KENYA: Catholic Universities And Colleges in AMECEA Embark On Regional Collaboration
The Vice Chancellors and Principals of Catholic Universities and University Colleges within the Association of Member Episcopal Conference in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) countries, met for the first time as an alliance to discuss issues which should lead to collaboration and unity among institutions of higher learning within the AMECEA region.
During a media briefing on 26th February after a two-day meeting at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA) Nairobi, the Vice Chancellors and Principals resolved to renew Catholic identity in Catholic Universities.
In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor of CUEA, Rev. Prof. Stephen Mbugua Ngari explained what they discussed during the meeting saying, “Our communication is about creating a solidarity in addressing both social, economic and educational needs in our region.”
The Vice Chancellors and Principals deliberated on revitalizing the Catholic Identity in Catholic Universities and promote AMECEA-ness; revitalizing the role of chaplaincy, good governance and effective Christian leadership; entrenching Christian values and inculcating ethics in educational curriculum; enhancing quality of education; collaborating towards stronger institutions with bigger impact, research on inculturation and collaborating on scientific approach to social and pastoral issues including governance, social and economic.
Explaining how these discussed issues will create solidarity of education within the AMECEA institutions, Fr. Mbugua highlighted and said “The togetherness will create a platform where we can exchange ideas, we can exchange staff and we can have a pool of experts whom we can count on when we are faced with various academic issues as well as joint researches. Besides, the inculcation of ethics and social teachings, will enhance discipline, Catholic faith and contribute towards the evangelization to our people.”
On the concerns of the Association, Rev. Dr. Francis Verye of the Marist University College explained, “Our prime objective is to cement the Catholic character of our universities and colleges. We came up with having common courses like critical thinking and doctrine of the Catholic Church among others and we could create courses around that not necessarily merging all the other courses but there is something that will identify us as Catholics.”
Talking about regional integration on education matters, Fr. Mbugua who is also interim chairperson of the association said that there is a framework on how this integration can be done.
“It is important to know that we now have a regional inter-university council for East Africa and there is a framework on how we can transfer credits. Currently, we partner with universities in the US and we are working on collaboration on online learning and the credits can be transferred through certain frameworks.”
Asked on how the Association will tackle issues of corruption within the AMECEA countries to enhance good governance and effective Christian leadership, the Vice Chancellor of Malawi Catholic University, Rev. Prof. George Buleya said, “We would like, as universities, to study the root causes of corruption and the avenues that corruption takes in our various countries with hope that we can be on a path to arresting this evil in society.”
According to Fr. Mbugua who was also the host for this first meeting of the Association, it was the desire of the AMECEA Bishops for the Vice Chancellors and Principals of Catholic Universities and University Colleges within the region to join together and form an association to synergize since unity is strength.
The meeting brought together Vice Chancellors and Principals of Catholic Universities and University Colleges including, The Catholic University of the Eastern Africa, (CUEA), Ruaha Catholic University College, Tanzania, Mwenge University, Tanzania, Malawi Catholic University, Zambia Catholic University, Catholic University of South Sudan, St. Augustine University, Tanzania, Tangaza University College, Hekima University College, Marist International University College, Uzima University College and the AMECEA Secretary General.
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