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Diversity, international student numbers on the increase at AU

 

	(Below): These two West Africans, Alfred Zigbou of Liberia and Konte Noumenoue of Benin, are studying in the Institute of Peace, Leadership & Governance. Zigbou enrolled in August and Noumenoue is in his second year.
(Above): 18-year-old Analdina Miguel with fellow Angolan and business student, Songuito Massoko.

More than 425 freshmen began lectures at Africa University in mid-August. This year’s intake is the second-largest in the institution’s history. The United Methodist-related University offered admission to undergraduate and graduate programmes to more than 650 young people. About two-thirds of the admitted students registered for classes and they all have very high expectations. 1 8 - y e a r - o l d Analdina Miguel, from Angola’s capital city Luanda, is a freshman in the Faculty of Management & Administration. “I heard about Africa University from a friend, and as soon as I arrived here, I realized at first glance that the infrastructure and environment were superior to other universities back home,” Miguel said. She wants to learn English, which she describes “an asset you can take anywhere in the world” and gain the professional skills that will enable her to contribute to the growth of her family’s business.

Student: Mario Antonio of Angola
“I expect to maximize all the resources that will be availed to me and get the best out of Africa University,” said Alfred Zigbou, a Liberian social worker who is being sponsored by the General Board of Global Ministries. Zigbou has enrolled in the master’s degree programme in the Institute of Peace, Leadership and Governance for training that he hopes will help him to contribute to improving socio-economic policies and to development efforts in Liberia.
“My passion is for serving people,” said Zigbou. “I want to see a more equitable distribution of wealth in communities back home and to help foster and sustain peace in my country.”

Students like Zigbou and others from West and Central Africa have made this year’s intake the most geographically diverse in the University’s history and as a result, given the institution itshighest percentage of international students to date. There are now 26 African countries represented among the students and the University has experienced a 4% increase in the number of international students.

Ethiopia, who have joined the PSMTP programme

The freshman class includes two young women from the Central African Republic and a young woman from The Gambia. These three students are the first from their respective countries to enroll at Africa University. An evolving partnership with the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF) has also contributed to increased diversity in the student population. The 3-year, US$12 million initiative involves the delivery of a master’s degree programme in public sector management to senior civil servants from across East and Southern Africa. In August, the University welcomed the second group of ACBF-funded students, numbering 29 from eight African countries—Botswana, Ethiopia, Malawi, Mozambique, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
“Botswana, Mozambique and Tanzania have sent participants for the first time this year and from the pioneer group of countries, we have new participants, all of which confirms confidence in the programme, the host institution and the host country,” said Dr. Hardson Kwandayi, the programme’s coordinator. Mekonnen Azele Temechen, a personnel administrator in Ethiopia’s foreign ministry, said “being here will be a chance to share experiences with other African brothers and sisters, and will also be an opportunity to see how other public sectors are being managed in Africa.”
Already, Mario Antonio, a freshman studying for a degree in psychology in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, has made new friends who are enriching his learning experience. “I’m meeting people from so many countries on the campus and it’s enabling me to learn more about other people, expand my views about how other people live and have
an appreciation of their backgrounds,” said Antonio.
US exchange student, Elizabeth Couture, with Elaine Sauls, a second year student from South Africa