Vice Chancellor's Message — ZIKOMO! Celebrating our People, Strengthening our Community
By Very Rev. Prof. Elias O. Opongo, SJ, Vice Chancellor / Rector
Dear Members of the CUEA Family,
ZIKOMO!
Today, 21 September 2026, we launch ZIKOMO CUEA, our weekly bulletin connecting students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents, constituent and affiliate colleges, partners and friends of the University.
Zikomo means “thank you” in Chichewa, a language spoken in Malawi, one of the countries in our AMECEA region. We have chosen this name because gratitude builds community. Through this bulletin, we want to recognise the good happening among us: research and publications, student innovations, community service, alumni achievements, sporting success and the often-unnoticed dedication of those who keep our University running.
I invite you to share your stories, events, publications, conferences and achievements, including news from our colleges and the wider AMECEA region. Let us tell our own story and celebrate one another. Zikomo to the lecturer who goes beyond what is required, the staff member who serves with kindness, the student who chooses integrity, and our bishops, parents, alumni, partners and benefactors who continue to support CUEA.
It is fitting that we launch this bulletin on the International Day of Peace. Peacebuilding has been central to my academic and professional journey, from my early interest in the role of media to my work on justice, reconciliation and post-conflict reconstruction. I have learnt that peace is more than the absence of violence; it requires justice, dignity, trust and relationships that enable us to live together. Peace must also begin here at CUEA, in how we listen to one another, resolve disagreements and support those who are struggling. I look forward to sharing further reflections on peace in future editions.
ZIKOMO CUEA will also help us advance the six pillars guiding our University's transformation: Collegiality and union of minds and hearts — building one community that celebrates achievements and supports those facing difficulties. Academic Excellence and Wealth Creation — recognising excellence in teaching, learning, innovation and enterprise. Catholic Identity and Human Flourishing — living our values through integrity, dignity and service. Responsibility, Accountability and Stewardship — appreciating those who serve faithfully and use our resources responsibly. Research, Innovation and Regional Impact — sharing knowledge, discoveries and partnerships that benefit society. Creative Fidelity, Leadership and Courage for Change — embracing renewal with courage, guided by the Ignatian Magis.
These pillars call us to work together as one University serving one region. Our Lang'ata and Eldoret Gaba campuses, constituent colleges; Hekima University College and Marist International University College, and affiliate colleges bring different strengths to a common mission. We must deepen collaboration across the AMECEA region through joint research, faculty engagement, student mobility and shared academic programmes. The proposed AMECEA Academic Consortium will be an important step towards this vision.
I sincerely thank our Executive Director for Administration and Human Resources and the bulletin team for bringing ZIKOMO CUEA to life. Its success will depend on all of us contributing and making it a genuine platform for communication, reflection and celebration.
Let us make gratitude part of our institutional culture. May this bulletin help us recognise the good in one another, strengthen our union of minds and hearts, and inspire us to build a better CUEA together.
May God bless the entire CUEA family.
VERY REV. PROF. ELIAS O. OPONGO, SJ — Vice Chancellor/Rector