Vice Chancellor Douglas Carew delivers graduation speech

Africa International University

27^th Graduation Ceremony

Saturday July 14, 2012

Chancellor’s Graduation Speech

Prof. Watson Omulokoli

The Chair and Members Board of Trustees; AEA General Secretary - Rev Aiah-Foday-Khabenje; Chair and members of the Governing Council; Distinguished Guest Speaker; Vice-Chancellor; Esteemed Church and Christian Leaders, Your Excellencies, Faculty, Staff, Students and Alumni of AIU; ladies and gentlemen; Graduating Class of 2012:

Let me begin by congratulating the graduation class of 2012. A few years back we welcomed and received you as new students of Africa International University. Thank you for having chosen to study here. Today we send you off as graduates.

I believe that each one of you has not only done well in your studies, but that you have grown in  knowledge, in the Christian faith, in character, in integrity, and in practical skills. Class of 2012, I congratulate you profusely.

 As I do so, let me remind you of the legacy that you are now part of. Africa International University was founded as the Nairobi Evangelical Graduate School of Theology (NEGST) with the vision and commitment of providing quality theological education for the African Church. Over the years, the university has developed a reputation and legacy of integrity, quality, and excellence. 

I am pleased that you, and the university community voted the faculty as the recipients of the integrity award, for the university awards and recognition for this year.   Aspire to this legacy of integrity.

Prior to your time, there have been more than one thousand and three hundred graduates and alumni of this university. They serve as leaders of excellence and integrity in many countries around the world.

Today as you graduate, Class of 2012, I charge you to join this legacy of leadership with integrity. Be faithful to this legacy. Above all be faithful to the Lord Jesus and serve the Church and the wider society as His ambassadors.

 [The whole issue of integrity is a very serious matter of immense proportions. On one hand, integrity does not come automatically in a vacuum. On the other hand, integrity should not be marketed carelessly as a mere buzz-word of the civil society activists, or a cold, inert, and fixed code in the constitutional order, or a convenient and escapist catch-word in the Christian arena.

Instead, it should be an active, dynamic, and practical reality. This is in line with the historical tradition of such Evangelicals as John Wesley, Charles Simeon, and William Wilberforce.

Moreover, if we are alert enough, we will discover concrete and clear examples of the practice of integrity whom we can emulate in our day.

Just this week, a number of us spent two days, Sunday and Monday, with a 91 year old dear Christian, Rev. Gilbert Mulaha, of the Scriptural Holiness Mission, and the Roving Team. Elsewhere, I have written of him that:

“Of all Kenyan Christians to date, whether clergy or lay, Gilbert Mulaha is the greatest public exponent, champion, and practitioner of the way of holiness, purity, righteousness, and integrity”. 

As we ponder this all-important subject of integrity, let us go beyond mere rhetoric. Let us embrace its transforming genius; let us internalise its reality for ourselves; and let us line up with its continuing dynamic force as our guiding beacon in all of our operations.]

As Africa International University, we have two clear and fundamental mandates. The first is the mandate to continue faithfully the training of quality leadership for the varied ministries of the Church. The second is the equally important mandate of training  quality Christian professional leadership for the wider market-place and society.

Over the past year, we developed and launched new programmes which target the promotion of both of these mandates. 

1.      At the doctoral level, a Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) programme was launched.  This brought to three the number of doctoral programmes that we now offer.

2.      At the undergraduate level, a new Bachelor in Business Administration (BBA) programme was offered.

As we forge ahead, the university will continue to develop and launch quality, innovative, creative and relevant programmes.

1.      In September this year (2012), a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) programme in Theology will begin.

2.      Other programmes being developed in the year ahead (2012-2013) include Bachelor in Entrepreneurship (BE), Bachelor in Sustainable Development (BSD), and Master of Arts (M.A.) in Education, with concentration in Child and Family Studies.

At Africa International University, we believe that quality university education is much more than granting a degree or diploma certificate.  We are passionate in our belief that the goal of Christian higher education is to nurture and enable men and women to grow and flourish as full human beings, created in God’s image. This means that we should seek to form our students to be what God wants them to be, and  to achieve their highest individual potential.

But quality Christian education means more than that. It means further that we desire to see men and women who are in right relationship with God, with others, with their physical world and environment, and who are a blessing to their communities and nations.

Based on this firm conviction, as Chancellor, and together with the Trustees and Governors, we will do our very best to provide not only quality classroom education, but also rich co-curricular education experiences as well as quality physical facilities.

It is in this context that we welcome the review of education by the Government, and affirm the many good proposals that it has in the pipeline, in such facilities as “The 2012 Draft Sessional Paper”, and “The University Draft Bill”.

Class of 2012, May I Congratulate You Once More!

Interview with Professor John Jusu, Academic Dean, AIU School of Professional Studies

Dr. John Jusu is the Academic Dean for the AIU School of Professional Studies.  As I talked with him earlier this week, I could see he has a busy summer schedule ahead of him as he develops curriculum for the new planned programs.  John indicated he was almost finished with the Bachelor of Information Communication Technology.  They are also planning Bachelor of Science Programs in Finance and Accountancy, Entrepreneurial Studies, Community Development, and Engineering and Information Technology.  Professor Jesu has been traveling in the USA earlier this year meeting with Theological Schools such as Wheaton, Asbury Seminary, Indiana Wesleyan University, Fuller, and Trinity in a collaborative effort to align planned curriculum with the AIU mission, vision, and core values to determine the methodology for content delivery. 

One of Professor Jusu's biggest concerns is insuring that the undergraduate Bachelor’s degree programs maintain the excellent reputation that the graduate programs offered at NEGST have established.  Maintaining a quality brand is important as these new programs are added. If AIU is successful in attracting 60 new students to each of the 5 new programs planned, it will place a significant strain on existing facilities.  Also recruiting and training faculty will be a challenge given the planned launch in September, 2012. 

John stressed the importance of the need to diversify their current network especially in the area of creating exchange programs for students and faculty.  He would like to see a centralized funding of these programs that creates a reciprocal mutually beneficial platform that allows access to greater international faculty and student resources.  Just as AIU can learn from other Western schools that have integrated theological and secular undergraduate program offerings, the Western institutions can learn a lot from AIU which is well positioned as an authority and the center of World Christianity.

Another CLA Scholarship recipient graduates

Haruna Audu Tukurah is from central Nigeria (Jos, Plateau State). He was one of the privileged beneficiaries of  a C.L.A. scholarship. Haruna was managing an orphanage of over 300 children in eight different locations for the denomination called Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) before coming to Nairobi Evangelical Graduate School of Theology (NEGST) now Africa International University (AIU).

The vision for coming to AIU was as a result of his ministry with the orphans between 2005 – 2009. He saw a need for a good curriculum that will meet the total needs of these orphans educationally since none of the students graduated from their secondary school West African Exams with the qualifications to enter the university programs. Hanruna shared, "I knew they have the abilities in them to make it but something educationally to ginger them up is missing. I strongly felt that those orphans are the future man power of the ministry and so quality education is necessary to take them where God destined them to be."

Harura shares the rest of his compelling story about his journey to NEGST and the miracles he experienced here. "It is with this conviction that he trusted God for a good school outside Nigeria and the Lord led him to AIU. I knew I was coming on self sponsorship, and sold out my piece of land as sign of commitment and faith to raise part of my tuition. I told myself, it is from this that I will surrender unto God for provision. The amount I raised from the land was about 150,000 Kenya shillings. My wife and I thought this amount could take me for one academic year before God will come through for me. At arrival in Nairobi, I found that there is a balance of about 20,000Ksh to complete just term one. The first miracle took place when my colleagues raised 10,000ksh to meet up the 90% requirement for me to write my exams. 

In the second term, I was refused to write my exams due to tuition. That end of term was my most bitter moments in AIU since I had not known what it meant to study without writing exams due to the school financial policies. The option I had was to park and go back to Nigeria but again the airline ticket is as equal to the cost of a one term tuition. The dilemma drew my attention to God and I resolved to go for three days. At the end of the third day, a voice came to me: “I have come through your fees situation. Stop praying for yourself and pray for others.”

Three days after the exercise, I felt the urge to meet with Dr. George Renner to brief him of what I was going through. Dr. Renner prayed with me and asked me to keep looking up to God. Just a few days before the beginning of the third term, Dr. Renner e-mailed me to confirm that God has come through and the amount needed to pay the school debt and the tuition for third term had been received. The total amount needed had amounted to $4,000. On Monday the first week of the term, Mrs. Mary Omolo emailed me to prepare for my previous term exams and assured me that $4000 is been credited to my account from CLA. This great assistance marked the turning point to my predicament.  CLA donors allowed the Lord to use you to the end just to fulfill God’s dream in my life. I can now reflect back and see my education in AIU as purely from faith through your contribution. May the good Lord reward CLA and constantly remind you that I am part of your crowns in eternity.

I am happy that I am graduating and looking forward to going back to serve my people in Nigeria. I am not sure yet the exact ministry I will be doing when I am back in Nigeria. One thing I am sure is that I have been transformed to be a useful vessel in His hands. Pray for the safety of my family back in Nigeria. Pray for the activities of terrorists (Boko Haram). Jos, where my family lives is one of the targeted areas they are vowing to Islamize or keep attacking to frustrate the church. Pray that God will defend the church and turn them to Himself. Last week-end the terrorists attacked a village in Jos and killed about 50 people. The following day, Christians gathered to conduct a mass burial but they were attacked again by the terrorists and killed close to 100 people including a Senator and other political leaders of that community. Pray that the 50 decomposed bodies will be given a burial.

Finally, pray for my one way flight ticked ($700) back to Nigeria that the good Lord will provide to finish the journey He began in AIU so that I will get to be with my family. It is over one year now since I left Nigeria and I am really anxious to be with them. I had planned to take off on the 17^th July, 2012 but I don’t know where the ticked will come from. Thanks, Rev. Haruna A. Tukurah.  

grass to Grace

Esther G. Njuguna, 22 years old is the firstborn in a family of seven siblings.  She is a first year undergraduate student at Africa International University (AIU), pursuing a Business Administration degree.  This young lady is committed and zealous about working with people.  Her being in AIU is truly miraculous.  Though she is still new in the university, this has not hindered her from serving the AIU community.  She is a dedicated Sunday school teacher and heartily says that she has a passion to develop children who will learn to be independent early in their future.  She has also joined a youth group at AIU and a group meant to work with a new organization known as Serve the City that aims to impact the lives of needy people within Nairobi, such as prisoners and orphans.

Esther’s family were victims of Kenya’s 2007-2008 post-election violence.  Her father, who had been working as an ordinary businessman at the Cheptiret Center in Eldoret, had his entire business destroyed.  Her mother, who earned a meager income from her daily business in the marketplace had a two-week old baby and was thus weak.  This was an extremely difficult time for her family.  Esther, together with the other six children and her parents, were forced to live in a small tent at Eldoret Showground.  It was a very cold, rainy season and water would often flood into the tents, but they had no choice but to remain there.

Esther was due to join form three in January, 2008.  However she was unable to take up her place due to lack of school fees and spent the following months living in the showground.  During this period, Esther would spend most of her time in her local World Wide Gospel Church, Eldoret, either praying or cleaning the church surroundings. 

She experienced a miracle in September, 2009 when she received a check to pay for her school fees enabling her to join form three at Wareng High School, Eldoret in the third term.  During this term, both parents were jobless so there was little money for meals at home.  Her dad continued to suffer from post-traumatic stress and remained unemployed.  Esther would therefore go to school and at the same time use her talent for hair-plaiting at the IDP grounds to earn some money to help feed her family.

Alongside all the tough struggles, she also had to undergo an operation for an umbilical Hernia. She was in much pain but had to walk 8 kilometers daily to and from school since the family could not afford transport.  Despite everything, Esther managed to score a mean grade of C+ in her form four national exams.  In Ester’s view she owes it all to the Almighty God. She had always wanted to join a university or college, nonetheless this was just a dream since she could not even manage the expense of a computer college that offered full courses for $300.00 yet she really wished to.

However, Esther’s path to a brighter future opened up the day Rev. Grace Uteri together with pastor Rev. Wangila from AIU were invited to her local church for a revival.  She got to interact with Rev. Grace who informed her about AIU scholarships and gave her forms to fill in.  Esther did this, and asked a few questions about the courses offered at AIU, yet in her mind she knew that joining a university institution could barely become a reality.  Hardly two weeks after submitting the forms, she received an admission letter for AIU with a scholarship for her tuition fees from Christian Leaders for Africa (CLA), and organization that partners with AIU.  She was therefore able to join AIU in September, 2011.

Esther’s family cannot provide for her university education since the little amount they get is used to feed the large family.  Her scholarship covers only the tuition fees; she therefore hoes that seeking to cover other expenses such as food and rent will not disrupt her studies and attendance.  Esther says that in everything she has learned that one’s family cannot be the only source of provision, one can still succeed through help that comes totally from an outsider.  Therefore it is her future desire to continue helping others in society.  Also, for her it is all about God.  He is her greatest sustainer and wants to serve Him all the days of her life.  Her favorite Bible verse that keeps her strong is Psalm 23: “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.  He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside the still waters, he restores my soul”.

If you would like to help Esther with her living expenses at AIU you can make a tax deductible contribution at www.clafrica.com.

Ophanage in Bungoma, Kenya has a connection in West Virginia

Earlier this year Paul King and his wife Kathy, whom I serve with at Gideon’s International, heard that I was preparing to return to Kenya.  They sponsor students at the Living Hope High School (www.livinghopehighschool.org) located in Bungoma, Kenya.  This orphanage was started by Pendleton County resident, Marilyn Uhl.  When she retired from teaching, she sold her house and her belongings and moved to Kenya to make a real difference in the lives of these students.   

Paul and Kathy learned that 50 wool blankets had been donated to this orphanage and they did not know how to transport them.  That is when I volunteered to help out.  Since I was traveling on British Airways which allows 3 bags weighing up to 51 pounds, I had plenty of room.  In fact the blankets were also great packing material for the Ethernet Switch for the AIU wireless network and laptops that were donated from Christian Leaders for Africa.  Hearing that Marilyn has 5 of her brightest students that were preparing to start their senior year of high school, I arranged for their transport, meals, and lodging on the AIU campus.  Thanks to the generosity of local residents, they were also able to visit the Nairobi Game Park.   

For these students traveling to AIU to pick up their blankets, this was a once in a lifetime experience.  For many of them they had never been away from their village in Bungoma.  While on campus they were paired up with other freshmen students for a campus tour, visit to the library, and meetings with the admissions and student financial aid officers.   

But the story does not end there.  The week before departure, we were visiting Ed and Geri Moser, owners of the Breath of Heaven Bed and Breakfast.  They had generously allowed us to come and shower at their placed since our power at the North Fork Mountain Inn had been out for a week.  When they learned of my upcoming trip to Kenya, they told me about students they sponsor at Living Hope High School in Bungoma, Kenya.  You can imagine their surprise when I told them that I was delivering these blankets for the students.  So before I left, Gerri purchased WV hooded sweatshirts and other gifts to send along.  It is Winter here right now.  But for me it seems quite comfortable.  The Kenyans look at me with funny glances as they are all bundled up in coats and I am walking around in a short sleeved shirt.   

While here I had a chance to visit with Saul Omulama, one of the AIU graduates from this past weekend.  Saul is starting a ministry in the Kibera slums where he and his wife Nelly have worked for the last five years.  One of their top priorities is to prevent human trafficking and prostitution which is a way of survival in this poverty stricken neighborhood.  When I asked how I can help him in his new venture, he mentioned that he needs a new laptop and bibles.  So when I return in October, I will be bringing a re-furbished laptop for his use and will plan a distribution of Bibles in the Kibera slums in conjunction with Gideon’s International. 

If you are interested in providing a tax deductible donation to any of these causes you can send it to Christian Leaders for Africa, P.O. Box 1642, Indianapolis, IN 46206 or visit our website at www.clafrica.com. 

Graduation Day July 14, 2012

At our recent governing council meeting we honored our outgoing Chairperson, Dr. Gideon Muriuki for his 8 years of service on the AIU Governing Council. Gideon has given generously of his time and money to help AIU reach the financial stability it enjoys today.  Gideon is the managing director of the Co-operative Bank of Kenya and for the second year in a row has been awarded 'Bank of the Year" in the Global Bank Awards 2011 by the Financial Times of London.  Also, this year, Co-op Bank was recognized with 'Best Company in Corporate Governance Award' at the annual Financial Reporting (FiRe) Awards. 

It has been a real privilege for me to work alongside and learn from such a man of integrity.  As the Chairperson for the Governing Council, Gideon formally welcomed the dignitaries, alumni, faculty, students and guests to the graduation ceremony.  I have included his message to the crowd of about 1200 who were present to participate in this annual celebration and rite of passage.

I am very thankful to God as I write this piece.  God is good.  The Bible says in Psalms 73, verse 1: "Surely, God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart."  As I look back over the past few years, I can honestly say, "God has been good to NEGST.  God is good to AIU." 

It is now sixteen months since we officially became Africa International University.  As I look back to that wonderful day on March 4th when President Kibaki awarded the AIU charter, I say "We give all the glory to Jesus."  That day will always be a testimony to God's goodness.  For this reason the Governing Council has approved and declared March 4th as AIU day.  On this day each year we will celebrate the anniversary of the university.

On November 4th last year, we launched the capital campaign to raise $10,000,000.00 over five years.  On that night, the Lord gave us more than we imagined.  It was amazing and we thank God that we managed to kick off the journey of faith with donations of over $400,000.00 that night.  About $67,000.00 more has been donated since the launch.  More work has to be done to meet the full target.  This year the focus of the capital campaign is on raising $2.5 million for the new Leah Ngini Center.  The modern four-storied building will have a cafeteria to seat 200 people, coffee shop, student lounge and offices, bookshop, lecture theatres, ICT center, and other amenities.  I warmly invite you to join hands together with us to raise the funds for this noble venture.

Excellent facilities contribute to a good education.  The Leah Ngini Center is part of the first phase of the university physical facilities Master plan.  The plan provided for new undergraduate students housing, academic buildings, gymnasium, and sports facilities.  It also creates opportunities for kingdom investors to partner with the university in developing new facilities and business services.

The governing Council has had the opportunity to review our financial statements for the past year; and they do capture the reality of the successful implementation of the various institutional and financial strategies.  A consolidated surplus of over $500,000.00, a 144% increase over the surplus in 2009 is a testimony of God's faithfulness upon AIU even as we embark on the journey ahead as a fully-fledged University.  To God be all honor and glory!

As Governors, our commitment is that AIU will preserve the NEGST ethos of training quality leaders.  Our desire is that AIU preserves a legacy of not just quality education but also education with passion and integrity.  We do not doubt that our God who has brought us this far will enable us to achieve our desires and goals, as we rely on Him.

At the Co-operative Bank, we have chosen as our theme for this year, Joshua 1:3- "I will give you every place where you set your food."  This is my prayer for AIU as well.  God bless all of us and God bless AIU.

On the Verge of Africa's Renaissance

We are on the verge of Africa's renaissance.  Six out of the ten fastest growing economies are on the continent.  The democratic space is expanding and the demands for just, transparent, and accountable governments are loud and clear.  The growth of the church has migrated to the global south with Africa witnessing the fastest growth.  With the prospect of prosperity there is the reality of poor governance, lack of ethics, conflict, and war, poverty and moral degradation.  These are the realities of Africa that Africa International University must embrace to be relevant at a time of continental evolution and global integration.

In cognizance of the continent's rapid economic, social, and cultural transformation, new educational programs are at the implementation stage.  These programs in Business, Commerce, and Entrepreneurial Studies, Programs in Values, Ethics, Law, and Governance, Programs in Cultural and Social, Community and Humans Development Studies, Programs in ICT, Science, and Technology are part of the new curriculum being developed.

AIU is embarking on an ambitious diversified integration development plan alongside the development of the new programs that will address emerging African realities.  The master plan includes a student and community center, sports and recreation facilities, state of the art classroom and student accommodation, e-learning education delivery systems, conference facilities, and a business park.  In October, we will break ground and lay the cornerstone for the Leah Ngini Center that will house learning, recreation, and commercial facilities for students and the community.

To achieve these plans the university is rekindling the Transforming Hope Capital campaign to raise funds to make the next phase of development of AIU a reality.  Please join us in prayer and giving as we trust God to deliver our plans.

As we look forward to the challenges before us we must thank God for the present and past.  We are privileged to be part of God's purpose by training Christ-centered leaders to transform God's people and world.  As today's graduates move on to the "real world" they will face the realities of Africa head on.  By Him and through Him AIU has developed their students into leaders of integrity ready for God's purposes.  They are the leaders of today that will ignite Africa's renaissance through Christ, they are the leaders that will ground the exploding church in the south in the word of God and they are the leaders that will keep the flame of Christ a light in the corners of the world.  All this is possible if they continue to be committed to His word and connected to His world.

Congratulations to the Graduating Class of 2012 at Africa International University.