NAIROBI, MARCH 1, 2019 (CISA)-Vice Chancellors, and Principals of Catholic Universities and University Colleges within the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) Countries, have committed to revitalize Catholic identity in the universities.
In a press statement issued February 26, the Dons agreed to, “Align the ideals and common values of Catholic Identity and the AMECEA mission and vision in all institutions, develop a common response to contemporary issues such as corruption, social justice, regional integration and family cohesion, among others.”
The Dons were in Nairobi for a two day AMECEA Universities’ vice chancellors and University colleges’ principals meeting, held at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA).
They further resolved to work towards introducing Catholic common core courses in all institutions such as critical thinking and Catholic Social Teaching in addition to assessing and leveraging capacities and expertise in individual institutions aimed at creating synergy.
The Vice Chancellors and Principals also agreed to revitalize the role of Chaplaincy in line with modern day challenges in all Catholic Institutions by developing a common chaplaincy training curriculum and expanding the role of Chaplaincy to cover more holistic life skills.
They committed to ensuring good governance and effective Christian leadership in their learning institutions by offering short term courses on leadership skills to key actors in the Church and social leadership including strategic management and leadership skills, prudent financial management, ethical leadership and entrepreneurship skills.
Inculcating positive values in management of their institutions and also integrate ethics in their educational curriculum to ensure more holistic graduates who can in future positively impact the society, was also mentioned as a prospect.
At the same time, they will work towards enhancing quality and collaboration of AMECEA Catholic Universities and University Colleges towards stronger institutions with bigger impact.
This, they said will be through joint research and supervision of thesis and research projects, credit transfer of students staff sabbatical exchange and joint conferences amongst the AMECEA institutions.
The press statement was signed by Rev. Prof Stephen Mbugua Ngari (CUEA), Rev. Dr. Cosmas Rhagot (Uzima University College, CUEA), Prof. Fulgens Linus Mbunda (Ruaha Catholic University College, Tanzania), Rev. Prof George Julio Buleya (Malawi Catholic University), Dr. Patrick Chilambwe (Zambia Catholic University), Rev. Dr Philip Kireti Mwenge (Catholic University, Tanzania), Dr. Br Bruno Dada (Catholic University of South Sudan), Rev. Dr. John-Okoria Ibhakewanlan, SJ (Hekima University College, CUEA), Rev. Dr. Francis Verye, FMS (Marist University College, CUEA) and Rev. Br Tom Kearney C.F.C. (Tangaza University College, CUEA).
