The Africa University Fund (AUF) and World Service Special Gifts (WSSG)—general church investment that supports Africa University’s core needs as well as scholarships, infrastructure, and academic development—are continuing as missional priorities of The United Methodist Church.
The AUF and WSSG were both affirmed with the passage of Report #4, part of the 2025-2028 denominational budget that General Conference delegates approved on May 3.
The United Methodist Church is moving forward with a budget that's around 41 percent lower than the one that was approved at the 2016 General Conference. Although the actual bottom line will be determined by giving rates in 2025 and 2026, the approved request from local congregations for the AUF drops from the current $9.3 million to around $4.9$5.2 million for 2025-2028.
Since the AUF supports Africa University’s friend-making and advancement initiatives, the decrease will impact ongoing efforts to source scholarships, expand the campus
infrastructure, and grow AU’s permanent endowment. In response, Africa University is urging United Methodists to:
• Invest in the AUF apportionment at 100 percent.
• Keep their overall giving at the 2016 budget level to ensure that the institution has what it needs to thrive and deliver on its missional goals.
• Provide at least two congregations in each annual conference to serve as keystone churches, donating up to $6,200 each as direct scholarships for four consecutive years. This keystone relationship will assist the university to remain accessible to students and
deepen the connection between congregations and the students they nurture.
“Africa University has won the hearts of United Methodists, and we are immensely grateful that the denomination continues to recognize and invest in the extraordinary good, the transformative leadership for today and tomorrow that result from its engagement with this ministry,” said James H. Salley, president and chief executive officer of Africa University, Inc. and associate vice chancellor for institutional advancement.
“Our message to AU’s supporters, friends and stakeholders, whether in the local church or at the district or conference level, is this: Africa University is still counting on you, please do as you are able,” said Salley.
With the continuation of the World Service Special Gifts, annual conferences can make direct and/or designated gifts for current expense or capital funds purposes to Africa University. If you would like to help AU address urgent needs, visit: https:// support.africau.org/donate-now/
Generosity, Determination, and Triumph Celebrated at AU's 30th Commencement
On June 8, in an arena filled with palpable emotion, 569 young poeple received their degree certificates from Africa University.
Amidst the fanfare came an ‘Ebenezer’ moment. Despite being involved in a harrowing bus accident while on their way to the campus, Nyasha Musimwa (Bachelor of Social Work) and Nyasha Mukanganwi (Bachelor of Psychology) defied the odds to participate in their graduation ceremony. They exemplified the willpower, perseverance, and grace
that brought their class to this poignant moment.
The class of 2024 included students from 22 African countries, 57.5 percent of them female.
Among this year's graduates were the first students awarded the B.Sc. in Software Engineering and graduate degrees in Child Rights and Childhood Studies and Human Rights, Peace and Development from the recently launched School of Law.
"Being part of the pioneer software engineering class was a thrilling experience that presented both challenges and opportunities," said Stanley Chiremba. "I cherish the
collaborative spirit that defined our program, the guidance of our experienced professors, and the real-world experience that equipped me for the industry.”
In his commencement address, the former President of Mozambique, His Excellency Joaquim Chissano, reminded the graduates that they are "the architects of Africa’s future – the torchbearers of progress, innovation, and change.”
