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The Anglican Church of the Province of Central Africa wants to build a multi-million-dollar university in Marondera with focus on self-sustenance skills. Construction is to begin early next year. Anglican Diocese of Harare secretary Reverend Clifford Dzavo said Government has already allocated them some 362 hectares of land.
He said the type of education offered can be dubbed “education with production”.
“The university will incorporate both mental, intellectual and physical (skills and practical) courses,” said Rev Dzavo.
“Anglican University in Zimbabwe will be unique and different from other higher learning institutions in the country because of its approach. It is our endeavour, as a church, to prepare and produce students with a sense of respect for themselves, in the process addressing social, spiritual and religious gaps in our national structures.
“The curricula disciplines, faculties and programmes will be drawn and grounded in nature and the community, culture and spirituality, science and technology as well as enterprise (business and economics).”
He added, “We are moving away from depending on conventional courses to education that builds capacities and skills in relation to real problems in our communities, organisations and society. “We will make sure that the university will play the role of catalysing the development of partnerships between and among stakeholders. This can be done by organising symposiums, dialogues, bringing academia, business, politics, civil society, communities, culture, spirituality, technology and society together.”
The Anglican Church, Rev Dzavo said, plays a critical role in education provision in its five dioceses as their renowned mission schools are strategically placed across the country.
“As a church, we are now looking beyond secondary education. What had been missing in such a commitment to the provision of sound education to the people of Zimbabwe has been a university.
“We are proud that the dream to have the first Anglican University in Zimbabwe is becoming a reality. We have been feeding other universities with brilliant students from our schools. Time has come for the church to expand its services and make meaningful contributions to the country’s higher and tertiary education.”
Online Reporter