African Bible College finds its way to Uganda
UGANDANS wishing to become experts in theology and biblical interpretation will soon have another option besides the existing religious training institutions. <br>The African Bible College is set to open its third branch in Africa and Uganda has been their favourite choice.
By Joshua Kato
UGANDANS wishing to become experts in theology and biblical interpretation will soon have another option besides the existing religious training institutions.
The African Bible College is set to open its third branch in Africa and Uganda has been their favourite choice.
“The first of these colleges was constructed in Liberia 30 years ago. The second was built in Malawi 15 years ago and the Ugandan campus is the third,†says the college director, Palmer Robertson.
“Each year, we used to receive students from Uganda to these colleges in Liberia and Malawi. That is why we have decided to construct a campus in the country,†Robertson explains.
The College has acquired a 40-acre piece of land near Lubowa estates and construction is in progress.
Robertson says the first phase of the project is estimated at $1.2m (sh2.4b). So far, construction of 12 buildings to house lecture rooms and laboratories are near completion. The communication complex that will host a radio station among others and the main administrative building are complete.
“In total, we shall have 30 buildings, but for the first year, we shall open up with 12,†Robertson says.
The other buildings include six male dormitories, three female dormitories, a chapel with a capacity of 350 people, a library with over 10,000 volumes and journals, a computer room, married students’ quarters and a gymnasium.
Robertson says the college with a Christian affiliation is expected to have its first intake this September. The College has applied for an operating license from the National Council for Higher Education.
Yekko Acato, the council’s assistant director for accreditation confirmed receipt of the application.
“A team is set to inspect the college sometime this month and its case will be considered by the Council in June,†Acato said.
Although it is a Christian college, students will be taught several other disciplines.
“The curriculum is unique in a way that it combines the opportunity to pursue Biblical studies at university level while enabling students to take studies in a second area of interest,†Robertson says.
Christian related courses include principles of Biblical interpretation, theology and various courses on the scripture. The other fields are English and African Literature, Composition of Grammar, Speech and Communications, Typing and Computers, Cultural Anthropology, Business Ethics and Physical Education.
Prospective students are required to submit a completed application form that includes a testimony of personal Christian Faith and experience, reasons why a student wants to pursue the unique African Bible College course of study, a satisfactory record of previous studies and a recommendation from a pastor or other person of standing in his community.
The general admission requirements are two principal passes at A’ Level or a diploma or their equivalent from recognised institutions. Boarding and tuition charges will be determined annually and will be comparable to costs in other universities in the country says Robertson. He says their first intake will be 50 students but the number is expected to progressively rise to 200 next year when more buildings are completed.
The College is situated in Lubowa on Entebbe Road near the International School of Uganda.
Ends
UGANDANS wishing to become experts in theology and biblical interpretation will soon have another option besides the existing religious training institutions.
The African Bible College is set to open its third branch in Africa and Uganda has been their favourite choice.
“The first of these colleges was constructed in Liberia 30 years ago. The second was built in Malawi 15 years ago and the Ugandan campus is the third,†says the college director, Palmer Robertson.
“Each year, we used to receive students from Uganda to these colleges in Liberia and Malawi. That is why we have decided to construct a campus in the country,†Robertson explains.
The College has acquired a 40-acre piece of land near Lubowa estates and construction is in progress.
Robertson says the first phase of the project is estimated at $1.2m (sh2.4b). So far, construction of 12 buildings to house lecture rooms and laboratories are near completion. The communication complex that will host a radio station among others and the main administrative building are complete.
“In total, we shall have 30 buildings, but for the first year, we shall open up with 12,†Robertson says.
The other buildings include six male dormitories, three female dormitories, a chapel with a capacity of 350 people, a library with over 10,000 volumes and journals, a computer room, married students’ quarters and a gymnasium.
Robertson says the college with a Christian affiliation is expected to have its first intake this September. The College has applied for an operating license from the National Council for Higher Education.
Yekko Acato, the council’s assistant director for accreditation confirmed receipt of the application.
“A team is set to inspect the college sometime this month and its case will be considered by the Council in June,†Acato said.
Although it is a Christian college, students will be taught several other disciplines.
“The curriculum is unique in a way that it combines the opportunity to pursue Biblical studies at university level while enabling students to take studies in a second area of interest,†Robertson says.
Christian related courses include principles of Biblical interpretation, theology and various courses on the scripture. The other fields are English and African Literature, Composition of Grammar, Speech and Communications, Typing and Computers, Cultural Anthropology, Business Ethics and Physical Education.
Prospective students are required to submit a completed application form that includes a testimony of personal Christian Faith and experience, reasons why a student wants to pursue the unique African Bible College course of study, a satisfactory record of previous studies and a recommendation from a pastor or other person of standing in his community.
The general admission requirements are two principal passes at A’ Level or a diploma or their equivalent from recognised institutions. Boarding and tuition charges will be determined annually and will be comparable to costs in other universities in the country says Robertson. He says their first intake will be 50 students but the number is expected to progressively rise to 200 next year when more buildings are completed.
The College is situated in Lubowa on Entebbe Road near the International School of Uganda.
Ends