Please Remember Africa University in Your Will Issue: 01
Vol: 25
January - March 2020
Give Now
Africa University Development Office | P O Box 340007 | Nashville, TN 37203 Tel. (615) 340-7438 | Fax. (615) 340-7290 | Email: audevoffice@gbhem.org
AU Shifts to Online Classes and Remote Work, While Hosting Stranded Students Students and faculty at Africa and countries University are adapting to online by having stuclasses following a Zimbabwe dents downgovernment directive that shut load large down all schools, colleges and data files to universities on March 24th to their personal curb the spread of the coronadevices prior virus. to leaving. Zimbabwe is currently on a Cafeteria hours are extended to allow staff, “Despite three-week nationwide lock- students to maintain distance at mealtimes the scoudown. The country had recordge of ed seven confirmed COVID-19 cases COVID-19, classes will continue as and one death, as of April 1st. if the students were on campus,” Online instruction began March 30 for said Stephene Chikozho, director of the more than 2,500 Africa University advancement and public affairs. students from across the African conFiston Okito, the Student tinent. Representative Council vice president University leaders were proactive in and a final-year divinity student, has addressing potential internet access remained on campus. challenges in the various communities “I am a student leader. For me, there
Celebrating Two Legacy-makers In January Coyner rode on the bus and and February, shared many meaningful conAfrica University versations with the members marked the of the AU student choir as they passing of two toured the conference. beloved leadOn February 15, Africa ers whose conUniversity’s first vice chancellor tributions were Prof. John Wesley Z. Kurewa foundational to The contributions of Prof. John W. Z. died at the age of 87. the growth of its Kurewa and Bishop Michael J. Coyner Kurewa was involved in the were foundational to AU. ministry. development of the university Retired Indifrom the beginning, serving as an onana Area Bishop Michael J. Coyner site manager of the project in 1987. died on January 8 at the age of 70, Africa University was chartered and less than two weeks after being diag- opened as the first private university in nosed with cancer of the esophagus. Zimbabwe in 1992. Described as fair and faithful, Coyner Kurewa served as vice chancellor worked to bring people together and to from 1992-97. On his retirement, he strengthen local churches. said, “I look at this modern campus and “Bishop Coyner was special to Africa the vibrant, international community we University and led campaigns to raise have now and remember that I used to millions of dollars for scholarships, look after cattle in these fields when I the endowment and capital projects,” was in school at Old Mutare Mission. said James Salley, the university chief It’s been a great work.” advancement officer. Kurewa returned to the university in During a $1.6 million campaign to 2000 as associate professor in the E. fund a professorship and scholar- Stanley Jones Chair of Evangelism and ships in agriculture at Africa University, retired from teaching in 2018.
is no way I can go and leave the international students who are here,” he said. Stringent measures are in place to ensure everyone on campus is safe. All but essential staff are working from home and the more than 250 students who remain on campus are housed one person per room. The dining hall has implemented extended hours to reduce traffic during mealtimes and provided its staff with personal protective equipment such as masks and gloves. Read the full UMNS article by Eveline Chikwanah at: https://bit.ly/3aUgYcy
AU to Produce Sanitizer Africa University's College of Health, Agriculture and Natural Sciences is partnering with insurer, Old Mutual, to produce affordable hand sanitizing liquid. This basic and important tool in fighting the spread of COVID-19 is currently in short supply in Zimbabwe and around the world. Old Mutual is donating an estimated $14,000 to AU's effort to help promote good hygiene in communities where consistent access to clean water is a challenge. The gift will be used to buy inputs such as ethanol, rubbing alcohol and glycerine. "We congratulate (AU) for all that you have done towards this fight and we are proud to be associated with such a great cause, said Lillian Mbayiwa, head of group marketing and innovation at Old Mutual. "The greatest thing we can maintain in a crisis is public-private partnerships," said Prof. Peter Mageto, the deputy vice chancellor. "Successfully implementing good hygiene practices is a priority in ensuring that essential workers and the public are both adequately protected." The AU-branded hand sanitizer will be available to the public at an affordable (cost recovery) price.