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Mission Statement Historical Background Student Life Chapel
Statement of Mission and Rationale of Makumira University College
(1) The Mission of the College is:
(a) to provide educational programs which will be progressively harnessed to focus as best as possible on the economic and social development of the people at all levels;
(b) to engage its faculties and students in studies of higher learning committed to the pursuit of truth through scientific research and inquiries
(c) to promote higher education in its broadest sense, delving into
fact-finding under the guidance of and in obedience to the
Word of God;(d) to serve the promotion of liberty for all categories of people in society by being alert and well informed on all those important matters commonly associated with the best of University education;
(e) to be sensitive to the pressures which dehumanize society and oppress human kind so as to rescue, elaborate and communicate those elements of national culture which are possible and humanizing while at the same time liberating human capacities and engendering good moral values;
(f) to provide the kind of education which will promote freedom from diseases, ignorance and poverty for all people in society. The assurance of freedom includes the removal of hampering influences which tend to block honest research and studies;
(g) to explore, test and analyze new ideas, models and alternative avenues for development and promotion of a viable and just human society;
(h) to realize hopes and meet the expectations of the ELCT by developing resources from which fresh intellectual and spiritual breezes will spring up and spread out far and wide for the renewal of the Church and society as a whole.
Objectives of the College
The College shall, subject to the Provisions of this Charter, and in addition to any other powers conferred by the Charter have the following objectives:
(a) to preserve, transmit and enhance knowledge for the benefit of the peoples of Tanzania, Africa and the rest of the world without gender discrimination in accordance with the various principles and developmental strategies prevailing in the world;
(b) to empower students to enhance the formation of their fundamental capabilities, and by assisting them to think critically and to be skilful in communication and methods of inquiry;
(c) to create a sense of public responsibility in the students and to promote respect for learning and the pursuit of truth and mature thinking about the ultimate meaning of human life;
(d) to encourage perspectives and moral values embodying a sense of vocation, a deep concern for human betterment, an obligation of service to others equality among persons, loyalty to the truth and responsible citizenship;
(e) to develop and promote leadership with moral character and instilled with a sense of care and responsibility for all;
(f) to stimulate and to promote cultural development, inter-personal relationships and international understanding among the students;
(g) to promote an understanding of the practical applications of knowledge including historical origin, purpose and meaning of life, a sense of value to life, a balance of intellectual and spiritual health , identification with African culture, and integration of various cultures.
(h) to provide conducive learning and working environment to special needs of women and of persons with common physical disabilities of sight, hearing and movement.
Powers and Functions of the College
The College shall, subject to the provisions of the Universities Act, 2005, Regulations made there under and the Charter regarding provisions on gender and opportunities for persons from disadvantaged groups, have the following functions:-
(a) to provide courses leading to degrees, diplomas or certificates, including training for persons wishing to enter the College;
(b) to hold examinations and to confer degrees, including honorary degrees and other awards, upon persons who have followed courses of study approved by the Senate, and, additionally or alternatively, have satisfied such other requirements as may be determined by the Senate;(c)to institute, establish or create professorships and other posts and offices and to make appointments thereto in line with such organizational structure as shall be approved from time to time by the Board in consultation with the Council;
(d) to provide for research and courses of instruction, whether on a full time or part-time basis, by correspondence or extramurally, and to take such other steps as may appear necessary and desirable for the advancement and dissemination of knowledge;
(e) to erect, equip and maintain laboratories, offices, halls, of residence, lecture halls, libraries, museums and other buildings and structures required for the promotion of its objects;
(f) to regulate and/or provide, where possible, and subject to the College regulations, housing for its students and members of staff;
(g) to co-operate with the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania and other interested institutions of the peoples of Tanzania and outside the United Republic in the planned and orderly development of quality education, science and technology in the United Republic of Tanzania
(h) to provide and maintain sports fields and other recreational facilities;
(i) to establish pension and superannuation schemes for the benefit of its staff;
(j) to demand and receive such fees as may from time to time be prescribed by the College Governing Board;
(k) to acquire any property, movable, or immovable and to take, accept and hold any property which may become vested in it by way of purchase, exchange, grant, donation, lease or testamentary disposition;
(l) to open, maintain and operate bank accounts as approved by the Board;
(m) to sell, mortgage, let or hire, exchange, donate or otherwise dispose of any property held by it;
(n) to invest in land or securities such funds as may be vested in it for the purpose of endowment, whether for general or specific purposes, or such other funds as may not be immediately required for current expenditure;
(o) to enter into such contracts, to appoint such officers and to establish such trusts as may be required for the furtherance of the objects of the University;
(p) to borrow money for any purpose which the College Governing Board determines as appropriate;
(q) to promote research into scientific, political, social, cultural and other areas of knowledge generally, with particular reference to the interests of Tanzania and mankind in general, and to promote intellectual, cultural, scientific and technological development;
(r) to endeavor, seek and/or institute and award fellowships, scholarships, bursaries, medals, prizes and other distinction awards and forms of assistance or sponsorship for the advancement and dissemination of knowledge;
(s) to enter into legal agreements with the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania, Institutions which collaborate with the ELCT or any other Institution regarding anything that the College is empowered to do under this Charter;
(t) to do, in accordance with the general law of the United Republic of Tanzania and this Charter, all such acts and things, whether or not incidental to these objects, powers and functions, and whether within or outside the United Republic of Tanzania, as may be required, desirable or expedient in order to further these objectives, powers and functions or any of them.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND top
The Lutheran missions and churches began joint training for ministry in Tanzania in 1947 at Lwandai in the Usambara Mountains. The first class of 58 students completed their work at Lwandai in 1949.The decision was then made to transfer and develop a new campus on a part of Makumira Estate, a coffee plantation, which is now in Meru Diocese of the ELCT. The campus is near Usa River, about 17 km from Arusha on the Arusha-Moshi road. It is situated in a very tranquil location on the Southern slopes on Mount Meru and surrounded by natural trees, heavy foliage, beautiful birds and butterflies. (Monkeys sometimes try to enter the library but they fail due to security measures). Both peaks of Mount Meru and the snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro are visible within the vicinity, except on cloudy days. This campus was opened in 1954 and the first class of 41 students graduated in 1957.
In 1960, the faculty of the College was expanded to permit a yearly intake into the certificate course, and in 1962 a diploma course was begun in cooperation with the Association of Theological Institutions in East Africa. This course of studies was subsequently administered by the Department of Religious Studies at Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
In 1974, the programme was again expanded by admitting a class for degree level studies. This programme was for pastors who had a good academic standing during their Certificate and Diploma courses. In 1980, the Diploma programme completed a phasing out process which begun in 1977 and thence the College continued to offer two academic programmes: a Certificate in Theology and a Bachelor of Divinity. In 1997 M.Th. was introduced. And in 2004 Ph.D. in Theology programme was established in collaboration with other Universities in East Africa and oversees was established.
The first principal of the College was the Rev. Daniel Friberg. He was succeeded by the Rev. Herbert Uhlin in 1950, who continued as principal until his retirement in 1961, then Rev. Eliewaha E. Mshana became the principal and served until 1972, except for the interim period of 1965-66 when the Rev. Dr. Howard S. Olson was called to be principal. Then Rev. Thomas Musa succeeded for a period of two years. Dr. Sebastian Lutahoire served as a principal from1975 to May 1980. From January 1980 to April 1980 the Board appointed Siprian Yakobo to be a Caretaker. Then Rev. Dr. Orville Nyblade was appointed acting principal from April 1980 to June 1984. Then Rev. Dr. Hance A. O. Mwakabana served as principal from July 1984 to May 1992, followed by Rev. Dr. Wilson B. Niwagila who was appointed principal in the beginning of July 1992 and served until November 1998. Rev. Prof. G. E. Mwakagali was then appointed Provost at the beginning of 1999 to May 2007, when Rev. Prof. Joseph W. Parsalaw was appointed Provost until now.
In addition to training leadership for the ELCT, the College welcomes students from other Lutheran bodies throughout the world, as well as bodies such as the Moravians, Anglicans and Independent churches. The College welcomes students from many East African countries, as well as Angola, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Namibia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Palestine, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Norway, Papua New Guinea, Liberia, Sudan and the United States of America.
It is hoped that this international dimension will be retained at the University in years to come. In 1997, Makumira College (an institution of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania) became a constituent college of Tumaini University. The first degree programmes offered at MUCo are B.D., B.A. (Lang), B.A. (Education), LL.B, B.A.(Music). Bachelor of Computer Science. The University offers presently two Master's programmes: Master of Theology (MTh) and Master of Education. Ph.D. is available at the Faculty of Theology. More programmes may soon to be added to this list.
STUDENT LIFE top
Student Government
The student government is elected at the beginning of each academic year under the supervision of the Dean of Students who is the Deputy Provost for Administrative Affairs. The leadership of the student government includes President, Vice-President, Secretary and members of the Executive Council. There are also various committees which deal with day-to-day activities.
College Hostels
The College has a limited number of rooms on campus. Priority for residence on campus hostels or in College rented hostels shall de given to disabled students, female students and first year students depending on the availability of rooms.
MUCo CONGREGATION top
MUCo has a congregation which is concerned with the spiritual life of the whole Makumira community (senior and junior staff, students and their families). The Congregation has been built upon a living foundation, that is, Jesus Christ. This Congregation confesses that the Word of God which is written in the Old and New Testaments is its only foundation, and is authoritative for the teaching of the life of the church. Also in its relationship to the one worldwide Church it recognizes the Apostles', Nicene and Athanasian Creeds. It also holds that the Lutheran Confessions, especially the unaltered Augsburg Confession and the Small Catechism of Dr. Martin Luther, are the true explanations of the Word of God. The Congregation stands on this foundation and its testimony in all of its life. This Article cannot be changed.
MUCo Chapel
The Aim of MUCo Congregation
The aim of MUCo congregation IS TO PREACH THE Word of God, administer the Sacraments, and witness to a serve the surrounding community (Congregational Constitution, Part III). This will be fulfilled in the following ways:
- Doing and fulfilling its responsibilities under the Administration of the College.
- Providing its congregants with the opportunity to meet with Jesus Christ their Saviour, through the Word of God and the Sacrament.
- Encouraging relationship, love and service within the company of the faithful, in order to become strong in body and spirit, and to grow in the Christian faith.
- Proclaiming the Gospel to those who are without Christian faith.
- Meeting the physical and spiritual needs of all people.
The Officers of the Congregation
- The Chaplain, nominated by the faculty of Theology Meeting from among its ordained members, serves for a period of three years with teaching responsibilities (normally reduced), and is the chief officer of the congregation.
- The Chaplain shall:
- Be installed into office by the Provost of The College
- Supervise the teaching of The Congregation so that it is compatible with the Foundation of Faith and Intention as explained in Articles 2 and 3, and oversee the implementation of all Articles of this Constitution.
- Participate in preaching, administering Sacraments, teaching and caring for the members of The Congregation.
- Supervise the stewardship of the property and monies of The Congregation, together with relevant committees.
- Oversee the election of The Council and the various working committees of The Congregation.
- Call and chair the meetings of The Congregation and The Council.
- Prepare the agendas of these meetings.
- Implement the resolutions of these meetings through the working committees.
- Be a member of the Worship/ Music Committee.
- Advise all committees in their responsibilities, and specifically to be the advisor of the Fellowship and USCF.
- Be one of the signatories on checks for The Congregation along with the treasurer of The Congregation and the Bursar of the Main Campus.
- Supervise worship planning of all services of The Congregation with the help of the committee of Worship and Music.
- The Secretary is chosen from among the members of the congregation by the Synod of the congregation and serves for a period of one year.
- The Treasurer shall normally be the Assistant Bursar of the Main Campus, as determined by the Council. The term is determined by the Council.
Updated: 4 March, 2010