Josiah Kibira University College
The Josiah Kibira University College (JoKUCo) of Tumaini University Makumira is located in Bukoba Rural District 8 km North of Bukoba Municipality in the Kagera Region of the United Republic of Tanzania.
JoKUCo is a Christ-centred University College focusing all its programs on the guidance of and obedience to the Word of God and by conducting and promoting higher education, learning, and research, through scientific fact-finding and enquires, to all students and staff without discrimination.
The Josiah Kibira University College of Tumaini University Makumira was born out of a decision taken in August 2008 by the Synod of the North-Western Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT) governed and administered by the provisions of the constitution establishing it. The question that could be posed is why should the University College be named after Josiah Kibira.
The late Rt. Rev. Dr. Josiah Kibira1, (1925-1988) was one of the great teachers, educators, religious leaders, and one of religious ecumenical personalities. He served as a teacher during the colonial times but under a voluntary education agency, becoming also the first African deputy head-master of a mission secondary school from 1955 to 1957; pastor (1960-64) and eventually he was elected and consecrated as the first African Bishop of the North-Western Diocese (1964-1985). He was elected to be the president of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) as its sixth president – the first from the African continent – in the years 1977 to 1984. He made a remarkable contribution to the diocesan spirit of offering social services as far as educational, health, and diaconal services are concerned. It is because he is concerned with the development of humankind mentally, spiritually, and materially that JoKUCo bears his name.
JoKUCo has two faculties, the Faculty of Science and Technology and the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Through these faculties, the University College offers various academic programs leading to the award of certificates, diplomas, undergraduate and postgraduate diplomas, and degrees.
The main goal of JoKUCo is to be a center of excellence in providing quality education, not only at the university degree level from 1st degree up to Ph.D. – level later or in research and consultancy activities only but also through training in short and long-term courses and tailor-made programs, certificates, and diplomas.
JoKUCo also aims at functioning sustainably both financially, and environmentally and in our relationship to the surrounding community.
VISION AND MISSION STATEMENTS
The Mission of the University is:
- to engage its faculties and students in studies of higher learning committed to the pursuit of truth through scientific research and inquiries
- to promote higher education in its broadest sense, delving into fact-finding under the guidance of and in obedience to the Word of God
- to be sensitive to the pressures that dehumanize society and oppress humankind to rescue, elaborate, and communicate those elements of national culture that are possible and humanizing while at the same time liberating human capacities and engendering good moral values
- to explore, test, and analyze new ideas, models, and alternative avenues for the development and promotion of a viable and just human society
- 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.
The Vision of the University:
JoKUCo is a University which
- It empowers students to enhance the formation of their fundamental capabilities and assists them in thinking critically and to be skillful in communication and methods of inquiry
- Creates a sense of public responsibility in the students and promotes respect for learning and the pursuit of truth and mature thinking about the ultimate meaning of human life
- Promotes 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
- Provides conducive learning and working environment to special needs of women and persons with common physical disabilities of sight, hearing, and movement.
