JU e-NEWSLETTER

GOING FURTHER STILL - ONE STEP AT A TIME

A popular African proverb says, “When a needle falls into a deep well, many people will look into the well, but few will be ready to

go down after it.” We, the JU team, sincerely appreciate your unwavering support of going down into the well’ in search of our precious needle, the Jesuit University of Eastern Africa. Working tirelessly behind the scenes is a team that is committed to seeing to fruition this noble cause. They are Jerome Manyahi, S.J., Agbonkhianmeghe Orobator, S.J., Fidelis Udahemuka, S.J., and Joseph Oduor Afulo, S.J. These are a few faces behind the initiative of the 200 Jesuits of Eastern African

Province, who hope to start an institution of Jesuit Higher education that is committed to educate ethical, professional, compassionate and entrepreneurial leaders to be agents of social transformation. Another African proverb says, “the man who is not intelligent praises his own intellect.” Unlike the person in the proverb, we are constantly seeking new ideas. Your contributions are highly valued. We appreciate your feedback and comments to our first newsletter. It is our hope and prayer that this periodic newsletter will continue to inform, share, call to action and elicit support from friends, relatives, partners and

collaborators. Asanteni sana (Thank you very much)

JESUIT UNIVERSITY OF EASTERN AFRICA

Educating Ethical, Compassionate, and Entrepreneurial Leaders

IN THIS ISSUE• Sowing the seed• Icam in joint collaboration to

ensure Jesuit University success• Networking and Consultation

continues• Distinctive dimensions of Jesuit

Education• A Jesuit University: Africa’s

hope for a better tomorrow• Jesuit Education a Special Gift

ISSUE 02, 2013

1 – JU e-newsletter

The team leading the efforts towards founding the Jesuit University of Eastern Africa, from left: Jerome Manyahi, S.J., Agbonkhianmeghe Orobator, S.J., Fidelis Udahemuka, S.J., and Joseph Oduor Afulo, S.J.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We appreciate the Gatete family for sponsoring this Issue.

Thank you!!!

TAKING UP THE CHALLENGE: ICAM IN JOINT COLLLABORATION TO ENSURE JESUIT UNIVERSITY SUCCESS

2 – JU e-newsletter

I nformed by a desire to understand the context of higher education in Eastern Africa, the JU

team has constantly been in contact with experienced persons in higher education in public, private and Catholic universities in the region. We share with you a few conversations: Mgr. Dr. Pius Rutechura, Vice-Chancellor, Catholic University of Eastern Africa On October 18, 2012, Frs. Agbonkhianmeghe Orobator and Fidelis Udahemuka visited Mgr. Dr. Rutechura. He underscored the need for higher education in Eastern Africa, thus an opportune time for Jesuits to act. He promised his support, encouragement,

and permission to tap into expertise of his top administrative and teaching staff. Rev. Dr. Charles Kitima, Vice-Chancellor, St. Augustine University of Tanzania (SAUT)On November 22, 2012, the AOR Provincial visited the vice-chancellor of SAUT. Dr. Kitima said, “young people of this region are hungering for a genuine higher education. A new university under the auspices of the Society of Jesus would surely make a valuable contribution.” Prof. Justice (Rtd) Onesimus Mutungi Chancellor, Kenyatta University On December 13, 2012,

Fidelis Udahemuka, Shete Wangira, and Michael Ochieng met with Prof. Mutungi. Prof. Mutungi made a clear distinction between just having a university and being an institution of higher learning that is both relevant to the local needs and meets the 21st Century global challenges. He advised, “know what you want to be known for that you can make a claim to.” He also emphasized the importance of partnership: “No university can stand on its own; you need collaboration and connection with other well-established local and international universities, and to interface with the business community.”

AROUND AND ABOUT - NETWORKING AND CONSULTATION CONTINUES

Icam BOARD MEMBERSCompagnie

de Jésus

Bernard

BOUGON sj

Amis de l’Icam Stéphane

BRABANT

Ingénieurs Icam Pierre

IDRAC

Icam site de Lille Rémy

ROCHARD

Fondation

Féron-Vrau

Pierre-Yves

ROGEZ

Icam site de Paris-Sénart

François

BOUVARD

Icam site de Vendée Antoine

CARRE

Icam site de Bretagne Jean-Luc

LANCELOT

Icam site de Toulouse Benoît

MOULAS

IST Nord Patrice

PENNEL

Icam site de Nantes Bernard

THERET

IST-AC Hugues

WINDAL

Campagne de levée de fonds

Daniel

BRACQUART

Commission Recherche

Jean-Noël

BRICOUT

Président Jean-Luc

SOUFLET

Jean-Michel Viot (top) Icam Directeur Général and Olivier du Bourblanc (bottom), Directeur des études, Site de Lille.

Top: Mgr. Pius Rutechura (centre) with Frs. A. Orobator (right) and F. UdahemukaMiddle: Rev. Dr. Charles KitimaBottom: Prof. Mutungi (centre) with Shete Wangira (left) and Michael Ochieng

By JU Team

By Fidelis Udahemuka, S.J.

L’Institut Catholique d’Arts et Métiers (Icam) in France has partnered with the Jesuit University of Eastern Africa in establishing the

JUEA- Icam College of Engineering. This is a great step in the right direction towards making the JUEA dream a reality. After the first international consultation conference on the proposed JUEA held in Nairobi in September 2012, Agbonkhianmeghe E. Orobator, S.J., the Jesuit Provincial of Eastern Africa Province (AOR), made an official request to Icam for collaboration. Following this request, the Icam Board of Directors made a unanimous decision, through an official letter dated

October 11, 2012, to work with JUEA. Besides, the Board also commended JUEA for its desire to produce entrepreneurial leaders who will positively impact the region and the world. Between February 8 and 15 this year, Jean-Michel Viot, Icam Directeur Général and Olivier du Bourblanc, Directeur des études, Site de Lille, visited Dar es salaam, Dodoma and Arusha in Tanzania as well as Taita-Taveta and Nairobi in Kenya. The aim of the visit was to understand the regional context and explore future opportunities for further growth of JUEA. We welcome Icam’s partnership, and we look forward to this new joint venture.

3 – JU e-newsletter

DISTINCTIVE DIMENSIONS OF JESUIT EDUCATION

The Society of Jesus, like all religious orders, manifests certain distinctive characteristics - its “charism” - in its apostolic endeavors, including

its very prominent ministry of education. The following five oft-used Jesuit adages serve to identify distinctive dimensions of Jesuit education.1 Cura Personalis: Jesuit education

ultimately begins and ends with a special “care for the person,” the student. This fundamental principle, rooted in the belief of the inherent dignity of all people as created in the image and likeness of God, encompasses a deep and sincere compassion and kindness (a pure and profound Christian caritas of love) for every student and his or her overall well-being. This principle is extended of course to all members of the Jesuit institution’s educational community (faculty, staff, administrators, alumni, benefactors, and impacted stakeholders), but still finds its centering source and substance in the coordinated and comprehensive care of its students.

2 Education of the whole person: From its inception, Jesuit education has been synonymous with liberal arts and the humanities, believing the most beneficial education is rooted in human experience and human development. Intellectual excellence, psychosexual maturity, physical well-being, moral fortitude, spiritual growth, and social development are all ends of Jesuit education, but interrelated ends accomplished through the complementary means of a balanced

and integrated education of the whole person in all his or her dimensions.

3 The service of faith and promotion of justice: These two necessarily inclusive dimensions are arguably the most essential elements of any Jesuit apostolate of the current millennium, including education. Enrollment, curriculum, programs, location, research, staffing, endowment, and any of the myriad facets of education must somehow serve the cultivation of faith on both the individual and communal levels. Furthermore, the “promotion of justice” is an absolute requirement of such service to faith and by its nature must work towards the equitable treatment of all people’s, especially those most marginalized and mistreated, through the important means of solidarity and partnership with those very same people, inculturation, and inter-religious dialogue.

4 Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam: (“For the greater glory of God.”) This motto of the Society of Jesus (and its abbreviated version of “the magis”) is derived from phraseology used by Ignatius in his spiritual exercises, constitutions and letters. It both affirms and directs how all aspects of one’s life, including educational endeavors and professional pursuits, can and should be directed towards the praise, reverence, service, love and glory of God and in the most effective manner for promoting the most universal good.

5 Our way of proceeding: An Ignatian Paradigm applied to Jesuit governance, ministry, and decision-making. In short, a continuing cycle of discernment involving a “constant interplay between experience, reflection, decision, action,” and review. This Jesuit “way of proceeding” helps its practitioners become true “contemplatives in action.”

These five qualities or characteristics of the Jesuit charism have served as a guiding framework for Jesuit education since the founding of its first school in 1548. As its network of institutions continues to grow beyond its almost 1,000 schools (including primary, high schools, colleges and universities) in over 50 countries, these distinctive dimensions can continue to direct the different aspects of any educational institution that desires to bear the name “Jesuit.”

Mark Bandsuch, S.J. (right) is a Marketing and Business Law Professor at Loyola Marymount University, California-USA. Ms. Diana Karua (left), is AOR communication officer.

By Mark Bandsuch, S.J.

SOWING THE SEED: FR. GENERAL RECEIVES JUEA DOSSIER

Agbonkhianmeghe Orobator, S.J.

Last December, in anticipation of my visit to Rome, I requested a special audience with Father Adolfo Nicolás, S.J., the Superior General

of the Society of Jesus. The purpose was to hand-deliver the dossier of the proposed Jesuit University of Eastern Africa to him for his consideration and approval. Father Nicolás graciously arranged for me to have lunch with him in the company of four Jesuits. During lunch, we spoke about the state of higher education in the Society of Jesus and he listened attentively to my account of the progress made so far in planning for JUEA. After lunch, I handed over the dossier to him. He was grateful for

the work done and promised to study the documents carefully in view of reaching a final decision. That was a special moment. At last, seven years of careful and painstaking planning and consultation reached a decisive stage. Reflectingontheexperience,themoment I handed over the dossier felt like the moment a seed is sown. As we read in the scripture, unless a grain of wheat falls to the earth and dies, it stays just a grain. (John 12:24). The seed of JUEA has been sown. In hope we wait to see the first blade of life pushing through the earth of our plans and aspirations.

CONTACT US:EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR & PROJECT DEVELOPER

THE PROPOSED JESUIT UNIVERSITY OF EASTERN AFRICA,P.O.BOX 21399, NAIROBI, 00505 KENYA

E-MAIL:jesuit.uni@gmail.com/ udafidelis@yahoo.com PH: +254 (20) 3870436/89/8015 CEL: +254 704153473 4 – JU e-newsletter

TAKING THE NEXT STEP: A JESUIT UNIVERSITY, AFRICA’S HOPE FOR A BETTER TOMORROW

JESUIT EDUCATION A SPECIAL GIFT

My frequent visits to the Jesuit-run elementary and secondary schools of the Eastern Africa Province

confirmed that a dedicated staff of administrators and teachers were forming hundreds of young students, who are thirsting for transformative knowledge that would change their lives. My conversations with these students confirmed an understanding that the academic process empowered them to change themselves; right from their families, villages and cities to their countries. What a DREAM!!!!! It became apparent that their education, the interaction with their teachers and fellow students, offered them opportunities before considered unthinkable. They were empowered to be “women and men for others,” and challenged to make a difference in their societies. However, to realize their dreams to the full and make a difference, secondary school is not enough. Education of the heart, soul,

and mind– for my family and I – is key. This kind of education fosters personal growth, with a potential impact on one’s local or regional communities. Dreams come from within and can only become a reality with the right tools of academic and spiritual awakening. This is why Eastern Africa Province needs a Jesuit university. Through the multi-year Apostolic Plan of the Province and discussions with the Province leadership, the desire and need for a Jesuit University became evident. Jesuit secondary schools could be the “feeder” for this university; it is the next logical progression in the creation of a strategic academic process for the people. It would be our academic “way of proceeding” to affect social and spiritual changes. A Jesuit university enables the realization of dreams and the setting of practical goals for its students, and works to transform the society of which it is a part. Change begins with one small step, as exemplified by the creation of Jesuit high schools in Eastern Africa. A Jesuit university takes this journey to the next level and

fosters leadership, professional opportunities and economic security. The creation of a Jesuit university is a bold initiative of “walking into the wind,” like the actions of St. Ignatius. As in life, it will not be without highs and lows, ups and downs…yet it will offer the people of Eastern Africa a much needed opportunity for change and fulfillment.

I believe that the best gift one can ever be given is education; not just any education, but one that allows for respectful exchange of ideas. Leaving

the comfort of my home in Kenya, I travelled to the USA to study at the Santa Clara University School of Engineering. Though not my first choice, attending a Jesuit institution turned out to be the best thing that has ever happened to me in my quest for higher education. It has allowed me to see the world in a different light with respect to the importance of social justice, ethics, community, freethinking, and building, using the engineering skills that I learnt during my time there. The values that I shared and obtained, while in this community, have afforded me the opportunity to have a better understanding of the world as a whole. I remember with nostalgia substituting food for fines in the library, for overdue books. I did not mind the penalty knowing that though I was fined it helped me put food on the table of a needy person. For

me, education at a Jesuit institution came with some very special characteristics, key among them being the level of intellectual rigor encouraged by the teaching staff who continually set very high expectations for the students in both their studying and community activities. We learnt the spirit of community, the sense of embracing different kinds of people from all parts of society, as well as the integration of both ethics and social justice values. All this with the goal of making better future leaders that have a sense of purpose, driven by the right values for the human race and encouraging free thinking on all topics irrespective of their palatability. I fondly recall chatting with friends at Benson Center over a cup of coffee, enjoying an invitation for conversation and lunch with the Jesuits at their residence at the University. I believe that the Jesuit University of Eastern Africa will provide a higher level of education that has yet to be experienced in this region. It will be an education centered in a high level of thinking, and doing at the

same time; more so for the local community. An education grounded and steeped in ethics and social justice as the pillars of building a new community that respects each other in spite of their ethnic differences. An education that will set the beginning of changing Africa, one student at a time, by showing them that real change is possible through individual participation. Later, helping their fellow citizenry within their communities as a whole instead of following the “me first” mantra that has produced the current social quagmires.

Jack Paquette is the Provincial Assistant/Vice President –Advancement & Communications, Wisconsin Province – USA, and AOR Consultant, Advisor & Ambassador.

David Njuguna (Kenyan) is alumnus of Santa Clara

University, California, USA, BSc & MSc Electrical

Engineering.

By David Njuguna

By Jack Paquette