On August 18th, 2023, Principal Rev. Professor Diphus Chosefu Chemorion and Director of Quality Assurance Dr. Sylvestre traveled to the headquarters of Plan International Rwanda in Kacyiru. There, they met with representatives from Plan International Rwanda. Principal Chemorion, representing East African Christian College, and the country director representative of Plan International signed a memorandum of understanding, forming a partnership between EACC and Plan International Rwanda. This memorandum is another example of EACC’s commitment to partnering with other organizations and communities in Rwanda and across the globe to promote research and learning.
Every day, we read of the increasing power and importance of technology. Robotics and artificial intelligence are helping humanity achieve what was until now beyond our reach. East African Christian College, as a Christ-centered institution of research and learning, is committed to partnering with both local and global communities to further understanding and skills in technology. East African Christian College was honored to host the CEO of Zora Robotics Ltd. Among other topics, EACC staff discussed potential for collaboration, such as organizing events like the Career Fair in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence for students. Acting Director of ICT for EACC GAKUMBA Geoffrey spoke about the great benefits such a partnership will result in for both EACC and the community. “The partnership will further develop both research and skills, thanks in large part to our newly opened STEM Electronic Lab. We can provide a venue with high-powered devices and technology. They [Zora Robotics Ltd.] can provide professional training for our students and other invested partners. Both the college and the community benefits.” East African Christian College is proud to contribute to Rwanda’s already strong leadership in technology.
East African Christian College is dedicated to providing the highest quality of instruction possible. During the week of August 9th, EACC hosted Dr. John Jusu, Dean of the School of Professional Studies at African International University, led a workshop on Curriculum Development and Review for EACC’s academic staff. Topics included curriculum theory, curriculum development, course design and development, and Bloom’s taxonomy and its relation to curriculum development. Practical, hands-on activities were interspersed throughout the training, helping staff practice and adapt what was presented in lecture. “The training was well-received by me and all academic staff,” said Assistant Lecturer in Theology Wade Weeldreyer. “I especially appreciated the instruction in Bloom’s taxonomy and its relevance to curriculum design. We need to aim at producing graduates who can apply their knowledge to practical, real-world problems. This workshop helped me refocus on this.” EACC is an institution dedicated not only to teaching and training graduates—EACC is always developing its own staff in order to provide the best, most up-to-date knowledge and practices available.
On July 6th, 2023, East African Christian College was proud to celebrate the official launch of the STEM Power Labs. These labs were developed in collaboration with MINEDUC and the Embassy of Israel in Rwanda. Present at the launch were His Excellency the Ambassador of Israel in Rwanda Dr. Ron Adam, Chancellor of EACC Mr. Drayton Nabers, EACC Chairman of the Board of Directors The Most Rev. Dr. Laurent MBANDA, Principal of EACC Rev. Prof. Chosefu Chemorion, and Kicukiro District Executive Administrator Mr. Antoine MUTSINZI, among many others. There was certainly an air of joy and gratitude throughout the EACC campus, for the opening of these labs marks a significant step in EACC’s development as a leading institution of research and learning in Rwanda. The Most Rev. Dr. Laurent Mbanda shared his vision for the labs, noting that EACC exists not only to serve the Anglican Church, but rather to serve the local community, the country of Rwanda, and even all of East Africa. These labs will be stewarded well, and many representatives from the local community were present to demonstrate that they too are invested in these new developments at EACC. EACC is proud to be entrusted with such a great gift, and the staff pledged to make the best of the powerful technology and facilities now at work on EACC’s campus.
On April 17th, East African Christian College staff received delegates from across the globe in Kigali for GAFCON (Global Anglican Future Conference) held in Kigali from April 17th to the 21st. After worship, delegates toured the facilities and admired the beauty of the campus. Delegates included bishops, pastors, principals, lecturers, and leaders from all over the globe. They demonstrated great interest in the research and instruction being conducted at EACC, and they were eager to ask many questions to the EACC staff over tea. EACC is glad to serve the Anglican Church, both in Rwanda and across East Africa. By training graduates with skills in business, nursing and midwifery, education, and theology, EACC believes it can strengthen the Church to accomplish more for the glory of Christ.
During the week of March 22nd, EACC was glad to host Dr. Elissa Tyson and Dr. Melissa Gomez from Christ Health Center, Alabama. Dr. Tyson and Dr. Gomez provided training for EACC’s Health Sciences academic staff, as well as for the staff of many of EACC’s national partners. The training concerned “Embedding Obstetric Ultrasound Technology in Nursing and Midwifery Curriculum.” In his opening remarks for the training, Principal of EACC Rev. Prof. Chosefu Chemorion told the trainees, “Here at EACC, we must be experts in life.” Truly, EACC is committed to providing Rwanda and East Africa with nurses and midwives who are expert in their knowledge and professional in their skills. EACC seeks to benefit not only itself, but also the local community, and it was glad to welcome trainees from other local hospitals and institutions. By caring for people both body and soul, EACC staff and graduates seek to bring glory to God and prosperity to all peoples.
East African Christian College, as a leading institution for research and learning in Rwanda, is glad to partner with institutions in Rwanda and throughout the world, believing that we can accomplish more when we work together. This January, East African Christian College and Samford University (located in Birmingham, Alabama, United States) have begun a new partnership. On January 25th, EACC’s Chairman of the Board of Directors the Most Rev. Dr. Laurent MBANDA and President of Samford University Dr. Beck A. Taylor signed a partnership agreement connecting the two institutions for the benefit of all. Samford University’s mission is to “nurture persons in their development of intellect, creativity, faith and personhood. As a Christian university, the community fosters academic, career and ethical competency while encouraging social and civic responsibility and service to others.” Much of this resonates with EACC’s own mission, so partnership between the two holds great promise. Higher education in Rwanda has come of age and has much to offer its partners in the United States, while still acknowledging that it has much to gain from such partnerships as well.