Africa University Current News

IPLG spearheads growth of peace education programs in Zimbabwe


(Above from L to R): Prof. Walter Kamba, Prof. Athanasius Mphuru, Mr. Fananidzo Pesanai and Dr. Kenneth Manungo at the IPLG’s curriculum development workshop, in Nyanga.	(Above): Mr. Rodgers Manungo, an AU alumnusand lecturer at Solusi University,in Bulawayo.

Zimbabwean universities are introducing and expanding peace and leadership education programmes thanks to curriculum development support from Africa University. The Institute of Peace, Leadership & Governance (IPLG) at Africa University and the Africa Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Bradford hosted a curriculum development workshop for Zimbabwean
universities from 14-18 February. All but two local universities attended the workshop, which was aimed at refining curriculum proposals that were developed at a similar gathering in August 2004 and
strengthening networking arrangements among the participating universities. Participants left the workshop
with course outlines that will allow them to introduce anything from a single elective or required course to a
fully-fledged undergraduate degree programme in Peacebuilding and Conflict Transformation.
“We, in the Ministry, appreciate this initiative that is being spearheaded by Africa University...the curriculum
on peace and leadership is needed to equip leaders to address African problems,” said Mr. Fananidzo B. Pesanai, the Director of Standards Development and Quality
Assurance in the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education. The various universities, the majority of which are state institutions, are at different stages with course and programme development. For example, Solusi University, a Seventh Day Adventist institution, has trained two faculty members in the Institute at Africa University. One of the
Solusi University, in Bulawayo. two Africa University alumni, Rodgers Manungo, is
currently teaching a general conflict transformation course. Solusi University plans to launch an undergraduate degree programme in Peace-building and Conflict Transformation
in May of this year. “I understand the importance of this programme and I’m so excited about it, I’m personally coordinating it,”
said Prof. Maphosa, the Vice Chancellor of Solusi University. Workshop participants are now part of a network and are expected to assist each other during the course/ programme implementation phase. They may also seek additional support from the Zimbabwe Government/UNDP Capacity Building for Conflict Transformation Project.