Justo Mwale University - June 2020 Update
We received the note below from Lukas Soko, Vice-Chancellor of Justo Mwale University on May 27. Through the generosity of a number of congregations and individuals, Outreach provides full scholarships to 12 Presbyterian pastoral students each year at a cost of $5,500 per student. This augments scholarships that other partners provide. The mission of Justo Mwale is “to provide quality, contextual, Christ-centered, holistic education that empowers persons to serve the church, academy, and society in Sub-Saharan Africa and beyond.” It is a leading seminary in the region.
Greetings to you in the precious name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
How wonderful and edifying it is in these trying moments to stay connected through our relationship and partnership. I am greatly indebted to you for all your efforts and would like to update you on what is going on at Justo Mwale University during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is also my prayer that The Outreach Foundation community at large is in good health and under God’s providence.
Under such uncertain circumstances, I would like to express our (JMU) continued commitment to journey with you in your vision and mission. None of us foresaw the magnitude of this crisis, with the new social practices and demands it is making on us.
The Justo Mwale University community is well. We shut down on March 20 just a week before the planned closing of the term. Our students could not write their end of term examinations due to a government directive that all learning institutions in Zambia were to close indefinitely because of the pandemic.
However, realizing that the COVID-19 situation has no immediate answers, the university senate resolved to open the university for the second term on May 4 through e-learning. We did not foresee such a scenario impacting our 2020 academic calendar. We have had to introduce the e-learning platform with no budgetary allocation. Both lecturers and students are learning and adapting to the new system.
With an already constrained budget, this has come at a huge sacrifice on the part of the university. Keep us in your thoughts and hearts that we may continue to maintain our academic excellence with e-learning. The coronavirus is a global challenge whose impact has found everyone strategically unprepared. In the new learning process in institutions that are dependent on student fees like Justo Mwale University, this situation has very adverse consequences.
We now live in strange and uncertain times. The COVID-19 pandemic is taking us all to new places and upturning our lives in many ways. Justo Mwale staff and faculty members have been dispersed to work more from our homes since we closed.
We covet your prayers. May our God strengthen you and provide you with wisdom in your service in the Kingdom of God.
Peace and grace be with you always!
Associate Prof. Rev Dr. Lukas R.K. Soko
Vice-Chancellor
Read more about Justo Mwale University HERE.
The Outreach Foundation is seeking gifts totaling an average of $5,500 per student per year for scholarships at Justo Mwale University. You may make a gift HERE or by sending a check to our office.