During the recent trip to the United Kingdom 4th – 23rd June 2024, the Vice Chancellor Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi visited the Scholarship and Christianity in Oxford (SCIO) Centre at the University of Oxford, to explore opportunities for joint collaboration. SCIO centre is run by the US-based Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU), of which Uganda Christian University (UCU) is an international affiliate member. The centre runs semester-long and summer study abroad programmes for students from Christian Universities and Colleges. Prof. Mushengyezi held discussions with Dr. Stanley Rosenberg (the CEO of SCIO) and Dr. Ana-Maria Pascal (the Academic Director). SCIO committed (subject to funding availability) to host UCU faculty-led visits for students; receive students for a one-month summer programme; and academic visits by UCU scholars who wish to do research at the University of Oxford.
Prof. Mushengyezi and his wife Maama Patience with the SCIO Executive Director, Dr. Stanley Rosenberg and his wife Joy
Meeting with Dr. Ana-Maria Pascal, SCIO Oxford Academic Director
Partnership with ANCC
The Vice Chancellor also visited All Nations Christian College (ANCC) in Easneye, Hertfordshire, England. ANCC is a non-denominational, evangelical theological college in the United Kingdom that has remained true to biblical teaching. The Vice Chancellor held discussions with the Acting College Principal, Rev. Dr V. J. Samkutty, with whom they discussed several areas of academic collaboration:
1. Visiting scholars: Academic staff at UCU will be hosted at ANCC for up to a semester under their “Missionary in Residence” programme. ANCC will provide accommodation and meals to UCU visiting scholars and the visiting scholar will participate in teaching or administrative assignments while at ANCC.
2. ANCC student placements: Students at ANCC will carry out mission placements in Uganda and UCU will assist with the placement process.
3. Joint academic programmes: ANCC and UCU will develop jointly post-graduate programmes administered at Mukono Campus.
4. Short intensive courses in cross-cultural mission work: The two institutions will run short intensive courses for everyone who is interested in cross-cultural mission work such as the “En route” and “Explore” courses being run online and in person by ANCC.
During the Vice Chancellor’s visit to ANCC, he also met with Dr. Mark Galpin who lectures at the College. Mark is the son of Rev. Allan Galpin who died after surgery at Nsambya Hospital, Uganda in 1980 while serving as Acting Principal at Bishop Tucker Theological College from 1977 to 1980. He was buried in UCU Mukono Campus, above Bishop Tucker Building in.
With the All-Nations Christian College Acting College Principal, Rev. Dr V. J. Samkutty
Celebration with UCU UK Partners
The Vice Chancellor and Maama Patience also attended a celebration by UCU UK Partners, a charity that has helped to raise scholarship funds for theology students. Many former staff members of BTTC and UCU, as well as friends of UCU, attended the event. The Vice Chancellor appreciated their support to UCU over the years.
After a fellowship meeting with UCU Partners UK