Rusangu Adventist University
Former names
Zambia Adventist Seminary,
Zambia Adventist University
MottoEducation for Service
TypePrivate
Established2002
AffiliationSeventh-day Adventist Church
Academic staff
80
Administrative staff
50
Undergraduates2000
Postgraduates40
Location
Monze
,
Zambia
CampusMONZE
Colors  Gray
  Black
  White
  Burgundy
NicknameZAU,
Kurusangu
Websiteru.edu.zm

Rusangu University, formerly known as Zambia Adventist University, is a private coeducational Christian university based in Rusangu Mission near Monze in Zambia. It is owned and operated by the Seventh-day Adventist Church. This is considered one of the best universities in Zambia and in Africa region. This is known for its academic standards and research contributions.

It is a part of the Seventh-day Adventist education system, the world's second largest Christian school system.[1][2][3][4]

History

An early Adventist Barotseland (Rusangu) School, 1908.

In 1903 William Harrison Anderson,[5] a Christian missionary of the Seventh-day Adventist denomination, crossed the Zambezi River from Solusi Mission in Zimbabwe to set up the Rusangu Mission in Zambia in 1905.[6][7] King Lewanika of the Barotse people had invited Anderson to come into his territory and establish the mission.[8]

Anderson walked 900 miles before deciding on a location.[8] He described how he chose the site:

In locating the new mission there was a combination of four things that I especially desired. First, of course, was proximity to the native. A person can accomplish very little in laboring for the people unless he is near them. Secondly, we wanted a good supply of water...we wanted water for irrigation, that we might raise fruit and garden produce. Thirdly we desired proximity to the railway line... so I followed the watershed, in the hope that we might be near the railway line when it was built through the country.... The fourth point we desired was to establish an industrial mission, where the natives might be taught to work, which is one of the principles of the gospel. We therefore wanted good soil.[9]

Anderson and his wife arrived on the farm the fifth of September 1905. He built their home, planted a garden, developed a farm, built a school-house, taught the school, and acted as doctor and nurse to the people who came to the station for help.[10]

From this mission station, grew the Rusangu Primary School, the Rusangu Secondary School and eventually in 1975 the Rusangu Ministerial School. In 1993, the Rusangu Ministerial School changed its name to Zambia Adventist Seminary. A year later in 1994, the Seminary was closed to pave way for re-organization.

In 1997, plans to re-open the Seminary brought the idea of the Zambia Adventist College that would offer other courses in addition to theology and pastoral training. In 2000, an in-service program for serving church pastors began at Riverside Farm Institute in collaboration with Solusi University. With the full development of the Zambia Adventist College idea, this pastors' program finally moved back to the historic Rusangu Mission site in May 2003. Rapid developments have since given birth to a full-fledged Zambia Adventist university, now Rusangu University.[11]

Academic divisions

Notable alumni

  • Rupiah Banda, former Zambian President, PhD in Political Science
  • Kenneth Kaunda, First President of Zambia, PhD in Political Science

See also

References

  1. ↑ http://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/Opinion/2010/1115/For-real-education-reform-take-a-cue-from-the-Adventists"the second largest Christian school system in the world has been steadily outperforming the national average – across all demographics."
  2. ↑ "Seventh-day Adventists - Christian Denomination | Religion Facts". Archived from the original on 23 March 2015. Retrieved 18 March 2016.
  3. ↑ "Department of Education, Seventh-day Adventist Church". Archived from the original on 17 October 2017. Retrieved 18 June 2010.
  4. ↑ Rogers, Wendi; Kellner, Mark A. (1 April 2003). "World Church: A Closer Look at Higher Education". Adventist News Network. Retrieved 19 June 2010.
  5. ↑ W. H. Aderson's biography
  6. ↑ "Intrepid Pioneer Missionaries, William and Nora Anderson, Africa". Adventist Mission. Retrieved 20 February 2012. Includes picture of Anderson and Stockil travelling by ox wagon
  7. ↑ Anderson, Gerald H. editor (1999). Biographical dictionary of Christian missions. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing. p. 21. ISBN 978-0-8028-4680-8. {{cite book}}: |first= has generic name (help)
  8. 1 2 Anderson, W. H. (26 February 1918). "Locating the Pemba Mission Station, Barotseland" (PDF). The Youth's Instructor. Washington, D. C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association. 66 (9): 3–5. Retrieved 21 February 2012.
  9. ↑ Ragsdale, John P. (1986). Protestant mission education in Zambia, 1880–1954. Cranbury, NJ: Associated University Presses. pp. 27–28. ISBN 0-941664-09-0. In locating the new mission there was a combination of four things that I especially desired..
  10. ↑ Anderson, W. H. (July 1925). "Opening other new stations" (PDF). The Church Officers Gazette. Washington, D. C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association. 12 (7): 15. Retrieved 22 February 2012.
  11. ↑ Rusangu University (RU) AFRIDEMICS Retrieved 11 December 2018

16°22′46″S 27°31′26″E / 16.3794°S 27.5239°E / -16.3794; 27.5239

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