Africa International University/NEGST launched the new Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Counseling in Nairobi this term. It has been one of our most inquired-about programmes. As we move closer toward expanding into a full-fledged university, we expect this field to grow, including at the undergrad level.

The first cohort class meets on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings, with four multi-talented teachers, in a convenient location in downtown Nairobi. The director of the programme, Dr Gladys Mwiti (pictured), earned her PhD from Fuller.

In a recent visit to Eldoret, 45% of the inquirers about the AIU/NEGST showed interest in this programme, which leads us to believe it is well-needed beyond Nairobi. In addition, a full-time programme on the NEGST campus is open for applications for a September 2010 intake.

The BA programme attracted students who are interested in becoming certified and trained professionals with the skills and Christian commitment to bring hope and healing to married couples, extended families and young people. The new students are interested in working in churches and counseling centers, or Read the full story »

Lois Shaw, you’ve been at the school for years and have played a big role in weaving the dream that we want to hear about now. Tell us why “trailblazers” Victoria Hanne, Brenda Buchanan and Donna Chapman decided to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in January, in the name of Africa International University/NEGST?
By committing to this climb, these North American women, their friends and others on the team have already raised over $55,000, with much more pledged, to build the new Leah Ngini community center in the heart of our campus. The university sent them off to Mount Kilimanjaro in grand style with songs and blessings in chapel—the first of many climbers lined up to help build the center.

That’s great, Lois! Tell us more about the Leah Ngini Community Center.
The community center is to become the gateway building on campus, connecting us to community and to one another. We are known as “A school in the heart of Africa with Africa on its heart” and it is time for us to have a physical heart of our own—a hub or central gathering place for students, faculty, the community, guests and friends.

The school has needed this center for a long time. And now, as we have expanded to undergrad programs and new PhD and MA programs, more commuting students bring a greater need for the services a community center could provide. It has now become urgent that we get this gateway building built.

What would the community center do for the school?
Some needed amenities include:
• Seminar and conference rooms, as scholars and experts Read the full story »

“Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:10-11 (ESV)

In very inauspicious surroundings, the angel announced a seemingly inauspicious message, “a Savior is born.” This message and this Savior continue to transform our lives and world two thousand years on.

We at NEGST are witnesses to that transformation; an on-going reality since NEGST was founded twenty six years ago. From the merry band of four students who registered in 1983, today there are over three hundred current students and almost one thousand alumni from all over the continent and beyond; agents of change and hope. For this we are thankful.

The NEGST transformation would not be possible without the wonderful people who continue to serve us with diligence. Among these are our staff –teaching and non-teaching, Governors, spouses and family members, donors, partners, and friends of NEGST. For this mosaic of dedicated and generous people we are thankful.

The gains over the years have been made in spite of perennial financial challenges. No doubt 2009 has been one of the most economically challenging years at NEGST; the result of a cocktail of difficult internal, national and global economic realities.

In the midst of the onslaught of the financial challenges, one is reminded of the words of the unknown author of the poem ‘footprints in the sand’. “Lord – you said that once I decided to follow you, you’d walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life. There is only one set of footprints. I don’t understand why you’d leave me when I need you most.” The Lord replied, “My precious, precious child, I love you and I would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering, when you saw only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.”

Because the Savior is born, we not only reflect on the times past with thankful hearts, we look forward to the year ahead with hopeful expectation. One key expectation is that we will in 2010 receive our university Charter and so fully transition into Africa International University! May AIU be truly an agent of renewal – renewal of God’s people and world.

A sincere and big THANK YOU to all of you who have played, and continue to play, a part in our great mission to equip Christian leaders for excellence in Africa and beyond. Thank your for your prayers, partnership, and service. May Christmas 2009 be a most meaningful and joyful event. May our living Savior be present with you throughout the New Year, and make 2010 a fulfilling year.

Warmly,

Dr. Douglas Carew

The NEGST team won a sweet and pleasant victory in the annual Nairobi Fellowship of Theological Colleges (NFTC) soccer tournament. For the first time in the 31-year history of NFTC, Africa International University/NEGST not only reached the finals, but won the championship. PACCU, Moffat, NPBC, Scott and NIST could not match our dexterity and agility in foot-balling.

NEGST was in pool A, together with Moffat and Nairobi International School of Theology. In the first game against Moffat, each team scored one goal, John Teke scoring the goal for NEGST. In the second game against NIST, John scored again, Josh Amwago scored three times, Soren Daalsgard, Edwin Savala and Patroba each Read the full story »

Dear friends,

I recently addressed the NEGST campus regarding the current state of our finances, and I wanted to speak to all of you as well. I am committed to speaking frankly and openly with all of the people who matter to us, and our financial matters are no exception.

The economic valley

You may be aware that NEGST has gone through a period of severe cash flow constraints, with income not meeting expenditures for the past six months. This was difficult for me personally, and I suffered through some of the difficult decisions, such as delaying the payment of salaries, less than desirable service delivery to students, and the inability to put into place some things we have been planning, as we implemented an austerity budget. I want to thank our staff, faculty and students for their grace, understanding and patience throughout this time.

One of the main reasons for our difficulties is that we needed to make hefty back payments of some bank debts. For example, we were found to owe Kenyan back taxes dating from the 1990s. The principal was 12 million shillings, with penalties and arrears amounting to 27 million shillings. The amount was so great that 40-50% of our budget was going into paying back loans. At the same time, we were unable to collect debts that were owed to us. With God’s help, we were able to Read the full story »

The average intake of new students at NEGST in the September term is 65. This September, we were pleased to welcome 102 new students.

This exceptional rise in new student population is due mainly to the highly successful start of the bachelor of theology (BTh) program. Two groups meet for this program, one in the evenings and the other all day on Mondays, both in downtown Nairobi at the ACK Language School. The total for the BTh program is 42 new students.

In addition, we are expecting more students to enroll in January for the all-new bachelor in psychology and counseling, as well as additional students in the diploma and masters in organizational leadership programs, which are on-going.

The extension program is continuing to grow by leaps and bounds, with Read the full story »

The Kenyan Commission for Higher Education (CHE), the government body responsible for awarding university status to NEGST, stated in a letter that we have been earmarked for award of a university charter. The major roadblock was that asbestos roofing needed to be replaced first. The commission indicated that on confirmation that the roofs had been replaced, they would inspect the NEGST campus with the view toward processing the award of the university charter.

In line with the CHE recommendation, NEGST signed a contract with an engineering firm that started the work at the beginning of August and is completing the work before the end of the month, when new students arrive on campus. The  contract totalled 6.3 million Kenyan shillings, a real leap of faith. Students have been particularly gracious throughout the work. They have been “evacuated” from their homes for several weeks, living in faculty houses, the former “chicken coops”, or staying with relatives. Despite the difficulties, they have been pleased to make this sacrifice so that NEGST can become Africa International University.

As we continue to make payments for this contract, we are counting on you for your contributions. Each amount will Read the full story »

NEGST held our twenty-fourth graduation ceremony on Saturday July 4, 2009. The theme of the event was “you will know the truth,and the truth will make you free”.

Children danced as they led the procession of distinguished guests, faculty, staff and graduates. A total of one hundred and four students went out to become the Christian leaders in Africa and beyond on that day.

Guest speaker Professor John Mbiti, called the Father of Contemporary African Theology, delivered the graduation address John 8:32, inspiring the crowd towards a Christian university in Africa and its mission in society. A Christian religious philosopher, Dr Mbiti is also a canon in the Anglican church, holds a doctorate from the University of Cambridge and has held visiting professorships at universities across the world. He has published extensively on philosophy, theology and African oral traditions. Mbiti’s seminal book, African Religions and Philosophy (1969), was the first work to significantly Read the full story »

Expect more launches of this type when we complete our final efforts to achieve university status as Africa International University

Greetings from the admissions office! Spread the word about our new 2009 programmes:

1) NEGST and the School of Professional Studies at Africa International University are pleased to announce the launch of our Bachelor of Arts in psychology and counseling.

2) A Bachelor of Theology (BTh) programme under the NEGST extension department, will begin when a quorum of 25 is attained in August 2009.

3) A second cohort of the Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership (MAOL), under the Institute for the Study of African Realities, will begin in September. Spaces are limited.

Contact the admissions office at admissions@negst.edu to apply for any of the programmes or to learn more.

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Counselling: The basics
You will gain the unique opportunity to combine theory and practice, from a Read the full story »

Dear friends of NEGST,

Many of you have heard about Africa International University (AIU). You are aware that we are vigorously pursuing a university charter, and that we want the impact of NEGST to widen and deepen through AIU. But you’ve been asking for more details.

We propose to form Africa International University as a private Christian university composed of several constituent schools, of which NEGST is the first. The Vision of AIU is Christ centered leaders in Africa educated to transform God’s people and world.

We believe students will come to AIU for several features that set AIU apart. Because AIU is committed to partnering in God’s mission in all of life, we will appeal to prospective students in a variety of fields who want an education that takes biblical Read the full story »