Please Remember Africa University in Your Will Issue: 03
Vol: 24
June - August 2019
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
Iowans Invest in Worship, Hospitality at AU The Iowa Annual inspired her Conference has gifted local church, more than $45,000 St. Timothy’s to Africa University to UMC in Cedar complete the kitchen Rapids, to at the Ubuntu Retreat purchase 500 Center—a facility that copies of The hosts training events, Faith We Sing short-term visitors, and for the Africa work teams. University The eight districts of chapel.” the conference collaboW h i l e Under the leadership of Bishop Laurie Haller, Iowa rated to raise the funds serving as and delivered their gifts United Methodists have invested in new equipment s u p e r i n t e n for food preparation and service at the during the opening wordent of the Ubuntu Retreat Center. ship at the Iowa Annual Grand Rapids Conference on Saturday, District of the June 8. The offering surpassed the confer- West Michigan Conference, Bishop Haller ence’s original goal of $40,000. led a campaign to raise $500,000 for the “Our trip to Africa University in the fall construction of the Ubuntu Retreat Center of 2018, and especially the hospitality that at Africa University. About 450 churches in we experienced, inspired our district super- West Michigan contributed to the $500,000 intendents to lead the fundraising,” said gift, which was matched by an anonymous Bishop Laurie Haller. “In addition, one of donor, bringing the total to $1 million. The the laypersons on our trip, Darline Demmel, 24-room facility opened in February 2016.
New Program Targets Theological Educators Twelve students in a new oneyear postgraduate certificate program for theological educators began their first residential block of lectures at the Africa University campus in July. The certificate in theological and religious research is a prerequisite for entry into the first doctoral program to be offered by the Institute of Theology and Religious Studies (ITRS) at Africa University, in partnership with Wesley House Cambridge and Anglia Ruskin University in England. “The students will identify gaps in knowledge that will lead to innovative research to produce new knowledge and constructive
Faculty Visit Strengthens Partnership Five Claflin University faculty— including Dr. Verlie Tisdale, dean of the school of natural sciences and mathematics and Dr. Gloria McCutcheon, chair of the biology department—spent a week at Africa University in June. The Claflin University team participated in diversity and cultural sensitivity training, made field visits to neighboring farming communities, and brainstormed about joint projects alongside their counterparts at Africa University. Speaking on behalf of the Claflin University team, Dr. Gloria McCutcheon noted that “the experience was unforgettable, enriching, and extremely rewarding as we began to build projects with AU and determine the direction of various collaborations (that) address global issues.” A two-person faculty team from Africa University is due to visit Claflin University
Claflin University faculty members discuss the journey from idea to commericially-viable product with students and staff during a visit to the Africa University innovation hub. in August for follow-up on a variety of commitments, including plans to have Africa University students participate in the annual Claflin University Student Research Day in March 2020.
theological approaches to real life issues and challenges,” said Prof. Peter Mageto. As deputy vice chancellor, he oversees academic development at Africa University. There are eight countries represented among the students, all of whom are currently in the certificate program, but aspiring to earn the doctoral degree. Most are educators from United Methodist higher education institutions in Africa. Their training is being funded by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry’s Innovation Fund and by the Central Conferences Theological Education Fund, (CCTEF). It is organized in two parts: a one-year postgraduate certificate in theological and religious research which allows candidates to explore various approaches to research, followed by four years of coursework and research leading to the Doctor of Philosophy degree.