Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Nairobi (Agenzia Fides)- More than 900 students graduated from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa CUEA in a colourful ceremony recently. The 942 candidates were widely spread out within the University's 41 academic programmes. They included five pioneers Doctors in the doctoral program of the faculty of Education; 56 Masters of degrees; 23 Postgraduate Diplomas; 842 Bachelors degrees and 16 Diplomas.
Addressing the huge congregation, the university Vice-Chancellor, Rev Prof John Maviiri said academic excellence pursued in CUEA was not an end in itself, but a preparation for services in different roles which the Church and the wider community expect of CUEA graduates. "You should make a difference by adding quality to your being and the communities where you will have the opportunity to serve. You should make remember that God is in control, but you are instruments of His love to bring about the desired change for a new humanism of peace and wholesome development in Africa and the world at large", stressed Prof Maviiri.
He recalled that at the moment the university had five fully fledged faculties, namely: Theology, Arts and Social Sciences, Commerce, Science, and Education. "We also have a vibrant Centre for Social Justice and Ethics. All these have made CUEA a source of dynamic, globally competent and morally upright agents of transformation and holistic development', adding that early next year-2007, the University will launch the Bachelor of Church Management and Leadership and the bachelor of Justice and Peace and that more programs will be launched as the years unfold.
In his address, Pro Chancellor of the University, Archbishop Ndingi Mwana 'aNzeki said CUEA has witnessed a great increase in student enrolling, from 1770 in 2002 to 4,800 (in the current academic year. The Kenya primate, who is the head of the metropolitan archdiocese of Nairobi appealed to the Kenyan Government to give incentives to us in the private sector by exempting private universities from paying VAT on all construction and scholastic educational materials. This will reduce costs and increase access to higher education for many Kenyans and others from our region of the AMECEA(-Association Member Episcopal Conferences of Eastern Africa) countries and Africa as a whole, added His Grace Ndingi.AMECEA is a regional Catholic body for Bishops within the eight African countries of Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Sudan, Eritrea, Malawi and Zambia.
With its headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, AMECEA was founded in 1963 by the National Episcopal Conferences within the Eastern African Region.
The Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA) seeks to prepare leaders distinguished not only by their academic and professional expertise, but also by high moral standards. The Faculties dedicate themselves to educating and training students in scientific methods of research, both in theory and practice so as to enable graduates to contribute more meaningfully to the cultural, scientific and economic development of societies.
CUEA, was founded by AMECEA as a graduate School of Theology known as the Catholic Higher Institute of Eastern Africa, CHIEA. Nel 1986, in agreement with the Commission for Higher Education in Kenya it was upgraded to the status of Catholic University. In addition to the main campus, Langata, the University also has three Constituent Colleges namely: Hekima College, Tangaza College and Marist International Centre. It also has affiliated institutes and colleges mainly in East Africa, for example Dom Bosco College in Tanzania.
The University academic year runs from August to April. During the long holiday, that is, from May to August, the University offers Certificate Courses in Planning and Management of Development Projects; Guidance and Counselling; Applied Statistics; Conflict Management; Community Development and Social Work; Creative Writing and Publishing; Computer Science, Church Management & Leadership and a Diploma in Computer Science
To date the University has a population of 2080 students of which 1093 are female and 987 are male. CUEA has a remarkable female population of 52%, arguably one of the highest percentages in Africa. Although students from various countries, are admitted the majority of them are Kenyans. A good number of students are from Eastern and Central Africa, and other parts of the world.
The policy of the University is to admit students without discriminating national origin, religion, age, sex or handicap as long as he/she fulfils the University admission requirements. However, students who get admitted to the Catholic University are expected to respect the teaching and practice of the Catholic. Initiatives promoted by the University include AIDS Control Unity which sponsors awareness building campaigns to prevent the disease, campaigns which are conducted also outside the campus. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 9/10/2006 righe 50 parole 613)
