UNIVERSITY OF LIVINGSTONIA
MALAWI, AFRICA
UNILIA Newsletter Vol. 1: May - August 2003: News You Can Use!
University Commission Charts Course for the Future
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For two years, a 25-member commission and sub-committees have studied the development of the University of Livingstonia. At its 31 May 2003 meeting, the commission endorsed ambitious strategies to move planning of the university to actuality. Members and guests met in the conference room of the CCAP Synod of Livingstonia Office Block, reviewed documents and listened to reports and action plans provided by Vice Chancellor, Dr. Henry P. Kirk, Director of University Relations, Mrs. Jenny Sheldon Kirk, and Project Coordinator, Mr. John Banda. By the end of the day, many ideas had been exchanged, plans reviewed, and enthusiasm generated. The commission endorsed plans that call for the expansion and upgrading of current CCAP course offerings. Plans also require the establishment of a University of Livingstonia administrative center at Livingstonia and decentralized training sites that will deliver education to students where and when there is need. |
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Building on Excellent Synod Programs
Dr. Robert Laws, Scottish missionary, physician and educator, spent 52 years encouraging Malawians to build a better future for themselves. Under his leadership, in 1895, the first higher education courses were offered at Livingstonia. His vision was eventually to provide a comprehensive university to train future leaders for Malawi. Since his time, the Synod, in cooperation with partner churches and the Malawi Ministries of Education and Labor, has continued offering coursework at post-secondary level, but the idea of a university has not been fully accomplished – yet!. Excellent programs are offered at several sites throughout the Synod.
An educational survey conducted by the Vice Chancellor, Director of University Relations, and Project Coordinator revealed a promising concept for development of the university. Commission members agreed that, because of limited resources, it makes good sense to build upon what is available and incorporate existing programs into the university structure. By assembling sound academic programs and utilizing available resources, including buildings and infrastructure, the project is feasible – we can get started immediately! Sizeable funding will be needed for future upgrading and expansion of programs.
An upwelling of grassroots enthusiasm and encouragement of this concept by Malawians both close to and removed from university planning is heartening and is extremely valuable to the successful achievement of our mission. The potential for assistance from outside sources is enhanced by Malawian support.
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Administrative Center at Livingstonia Campus
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Research has shown that strong support exists to locate the university offices at Livingstonia, the historic center of higher education for over 100 years. Thousands of Malawians and citizens from neighboring countries have received an excellent education at Livingstonia schools. The commission agrees that the vision of Dr. Laws should be fulfilled at that site. Coupled with this administrative center will be classrooms dedicated to university coursework and space for short-term institutes. A series of satellite teaching centers will be developed under the university umbrella – one such already exists at Ekwendeni. Imagine – excellent, accessible university-level education offered at several locations throughout Malawi! |
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Decentralized Delivery of Higher Education
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Beyond the Administrative Center at Livingstonia, a number of constituent colleges are being brought under the university umbrella. Such colleges with about 500 students include:
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Additional instruction sites or branch campuses will be located where academic programs can be easily accessed by students. Eventually, existing programs will be upgraded from their present levels to offer diplomas and degrees.
University Links Around the World
An exciting aspect of the development of the University of Livingstonia, is connecting with other institutions around the world. Links are being established with City University, a fully-accredited private institution located in Bellevue, Washington USA. City U enrolls 10,000 students at the main campus and several teaching sites worldwide. President Steve Stargardter is enthusiastic about formalizing an associate institution agreement in September 2003.
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Centralia College of Centralia, Washington USA, which already has sister college relationships with Seisen College, Japan, and Warwickshire College, England, has agreed to an associate college relationship with Livingstonia Technical College. President Jim Walton notes that CC has both technical and liberal arts programs. |
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| It is hoped that these links will assist with curriculum development. Faculty and student exchanges are anticipated. Several Christian colleges have expressed support including Geneva College, (Pennsylvania) and Whitworth College (Washington). The International Council for Higher Education (Switzerland) and The Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (Washington, DC) have been very helpful to organizers |