Introduction to Africa University:

Basic information

Established in 1992.

Nature of the institution: A private university, an institution associated with the United Methodist Church.

Geographic location: The main campus is located in Old Mutare, Zimbabwe, 17 kilometers northwest of Mutare, the country's fourth largest city.

History: In 1984, Bishop Emilio de Carvalho of Angola formally proposed to create a Methodist university in Africa for all African students, and the United Methodist Church General Assembly unanimously approved it in 1988. The groundbreaking ceremony was held in 1991 and classes officially started in 1992.

School Strength

Student size: In 2021, there are more than 2,500 students from 31 African countries, and in 2024 the student body usually has about 2,500 full-time and 300 part-time students.

Faculty: Most teachers and administrators are Africans, and there are also professors and visiting educators from the United States, Europe and other places.

Degrees awarded: Bachelor, Master and Doctoral degrees are available.

Educational philosophy: Encourage servant leadership, spiritual maturity and good moral values, ethics and professional ethics, and focus on cultivating students' understanding and appreciation of different cultures and languages, as well as a shared sense of responsibility for Africa's renaissance.

Disciplines and departments

College settings: There are Colleges of Health, Agriculture and Natural Sciences, Colleges of Business, Peace, Leadership and Governance, Colleges of Social Sciences, Theology, Humanities and Education, Law School, and College of Engineering and Applied Sciences.

Key disciplines: Agriculture and Natural Resources, Health Sciences, Business Management, Peace and Conflict Studies and other disciplines are strong.

Campus environment

Campus area: 1,542 acres (6.24 square kilometers) with 36 buildings.

Building facilities: including 12 dormitories, 12 senior staff dormitories, a church, an advanced library building, etc., and there are also student clinics and senior staff housing under construction.