Gratitude and Reflection

Ever since I joined the Adventist University of Africa (AUA) on January 1, 2026, as the new Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academic Administration (DVC AA), I have found each day a blessing to acquaint myself with this new academic terrain. I sincerely appreciate the foundation laid by our previous leaders, stakeholders, and both academic and non-academic staff. AUA has, over the years, established itself as one of the top postgraduate institutions that values faith-integrated scholarship, academic excellence, and service to the Seventh-day Adventist Church and the wider world. My ultimate desire is to build on these strengths while strengthening key areas to help us achieve our academic goals and increase our impact globally.

 

Priorities and Strategic Focus

One of my priorities is to enhance postgraduate academic systems, research culture, curriculum relevance, and digital integration in teaching and learning. Guided by AUA’s unique mandate as a continental postgraduate institution, our focus is on developing leaders for service to the world through research, scholarly productivity, and gospel ministry. This includes supporting academic and non-academic staff development, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and integrating technology and AI-enabled academic support systems to enrich the student learning experience.

 

Opportunities for Growth and Innovation

I see significant opportunities for strategic programme expansion and flexible delivery models as I learn more about the needs across universities. These may include developing market-responsive postgraduate programmes, blended and online learning pathways, executive and professional doctoral tracks, and interdisciplinary programmes that address emerging global and continental challenges. Our goal is to reach a wider constituency while maintaining academic rigour and aligning with our mission.

 

Commitment to Quality and Accreditation

May the Almighty God guide us in supporting AUA’s ongoing improvement in academic quality and accreditation standards through data-informed and mission-driven quality assurance frameworks. Building on my background in quality assurance and institutional accreditation, I am committed to working closely with the quality assurance office, as well as all academic and non-academic staff, to strengthen internal quality management systems, enhance programme review processes, and ensure compliance with regional and international accreditation benchmarks.

 

Looking Ahead: Collaboration and Faithfulness

As we embrace this leadership transition, I look forward to working collaboratively with the AUA community to uphold the standards of outstanding postgraduate education, rooted in a Biblical foundation and faithfulness to our mission.

It is my prayer that we all continue to advance AUA’s vision of nurturing transformative leaders equipped for service to God, the Church, and humanity. AMEN!

 

Moses Kibirango, PhD

1. What inspired you to accept the call to serve as Vice-Chancellor of AUA at this time?

This is a defining moment for both the Adventist University of Africa and the Church on the continent. With nearly half of the world’s Seventh-day Adventist population residing in Africa, and with the continent’s youthful and dynamic demographic profile, AUA has a unique and urgent mandate to shape the future of mission, leadership, and Christian higher education. The convergence of Africa’s immense potential and its complex challenges calls for bold, Christ-centred leadership, and I felt compelled to respond to this moment with faith, conviction, and a commitment to service.

2. As you begin your tenure, what initial impressions or opportunities do you see for AUA’s growth and impact?

What stands out immediately is the extraordinary potential AUA possesses to become a globally recognised, locally responsive, and mission-centric postgraduate institution. There are significant opportunities to recalibrate curricula for 21st-century relevance, strengthen research productivity, address delays in thesis completion, expand blended and digital learning, and intentionally empower women in leadership and ministry. Through targeted innovation, strengthened systems, and renewed focus on our mission, AUA can serve as a transformative engine for the Church and society across Africa and beyond.

3. What possibilities do you see for expanding partnerships and collaborations to strengthen AUA’s academic mission?

Collaboration will be central to AUA’s next phase of growth. The University is well-positioned to become a hub for Adventist higher education in Africa by forging deeper partnerships with SDA universities and colleges through joint programmes, faculty and student exchanges, shared research initiatives, and library consortia. Strategic engagement with the General Conference, Divisions, Unions, NGOs, governments, and global academic institutions can further enhance research relevance, resource mobilisation, regulatory compliance, and international recognition—amplifying AUA’s academic and missional impact.

4. How do you envisage strengthening AUA’s contribution to the global Church mission?

At the heart of AUA’s mandate is service to the mission of the global Church. This contribution will be strengthened by aligning our academic programmes, research agenda, and institutional strategy with the World Church’s “I Will Go” initiative. By nurturing mission-oriented faculty, integrating digital evangelism, linking research outcomes to Church needs, and preparing leaders who are biblically grounded, ethically anchored, and socially engaged, AUA will function as a mission-focused postgraduate institution, equipping leaders for service in Africa and across the world.

5. What message would you like to share with students, faculty, alumni, and partners as you begin this leadership journey at AUA?

As I begin this leadership journey, my message is one of shared purpose, hope, and commitment. AUA is not merely a degree-awarding institution; it is a missionary outpost, a leadership incubator, and a beacon of truth and service. Together, through servant leadership, collaboration, prudent stewardship, and unwavering faithfulness to our Adventist heritage, we can build an institution that responds creatively and courageously to the demands of 21st-century Africa. Now is the time to build—for Africa, for the Church, and for Christ.

Ademola S. Tayo, PhD