Cunima to head Catholic universities association

The Association of Catholic Universities and Higher Institutes of Africa and Madagascar (Acuhiam) has elected Catholic University of Malawi (Cunima) to the body’s presidency for the next three years.

The association elected Cunima during its general assembly held recently in Johannesburg, South Africa, taking over from the Catholic University of the Congo.

Cunima vice-chancellor Prof Anaclet George Phiri, who now becomes the association’s president, said in an interview yesterday the election was in recognition of Cunima’s role in the church in Africa.

“It was humbling to be elected president among the giants. Being a new higher learning institution, it is a challenge for us because the founding members are universities that have been around for many years. It is also a challenge on me now as president of the association because it gives me extra responsibility,” said Phiri.

He said, instead of looking at the interests of Cunima, he now has to look at all other Catholic universities in Africa and Madagascar in line with the association’s constitution.

Acuhiam started in 1989 during the first meeting of Catholic Institutes in Africa which took place in Ivory Coast with the Catholic Institute of West Africa (Ciwa), which started in 1981, and the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA) being among the founding members.

The association, which has 24 members, was established to share experiences, resources and consolidate Catholicism in the world.