Hekima University College

Hekima College is a Jesuit school of theology in Nairobi, Kenya, affiliated with the Catholic University of Eastern Africa. It opened in 1984 as a seminary for Jesuits studying to be priests.[1] Since its opening, Hekima has diversified its student base. In 2004 it opened the Institute of Peace Studies and International Relations (HIPSIR).[2]

Hekima University College
TypeSchool of theology
Established1984 (1984)
FounderSociety of Jesus
Religious affiliation
Catholic (Jesuit)
Academic affiliation
The Catholic University of Eastern Africa
RectorDeogratias Rwezaura, SJ
PrincipalJohn-Okoria Ibhakewanlan, SJ
DeanDominic Tomuseni, SJ
Location
Kangethe Rd. & Ngong Rd.
Nairobi
,
Kenya
Websitehekima.ac.ke

Overview

Founded upon traditional Jesuit educational principles, Hekima University College caters for the needs of men and women seeking to take their place in and contribute to the evangelising mission of the Church in variety of ministries.

Since 2015 the undergraduate theology programme has served a large spectrum of students, including lay women and men, and individuals from fourteen other religious congregations. The College's HIPSIR initiative was accredited by the Commission for University Education since 2007 and continues to extend its outreach.[3][4]

Hekima also hosts the Jesuit Historical Institute in Africa (JHIA), organised in 2010 and dedicated in part to preserving the record of Jesuit missionary involvement in Africa.[5]

Academics

Hekima College began as the English-speaking Jesuit theologate in Sub-Saharan Africa for Jesuits studying for the priesthood, offering the same courses and programmes to lay women and men.[6]

Programmes

Courses
  • Lay Theological Formation
  • Ignatian Directed Retreat
  • Directed Retreat
  • Certificate in Management
  • Certificate in Catholic Social Thought & Peacebuilding
  • Certificate in Post-conflict Transformation[7]

Awards and Prizes

Hekima University College awards an annual prize for Excellence in Preaching in honor of the acclaimed American theologian and author, Frederick Buechner. Additionally, the College has regularly distributed copies of Buechner’s works among its students.

Hekima Institute of Peace Studies and International Relations (HIPSIR)

In 2004 Hekima inaugurated the Hekima Institute of Peace Studies and International Relations (HIPSIR).[2] It offers a Master of Arts degree (MA) in conflict resolution and transitional justice in post-colonial Africa, as well as certificate courses in related topics. It also sponsors conferences and forums bringing together experts from across the continent and from abroad.[8]

The institute's mission is "to build a society where human dignity is respected, human rights promoted, faith and justice upheld, economic and natural resources shared equitably, international relations founded on principles that promote and respect human life, individuals and institution in power are held accountable, and academic excellence is pursued with the aim of achieving full human potential for good."[9]

HIPSIR publishes HIPSIR Newsletter and The Peace Dialogue.[10]

Student life

Mentorship programme

Since its founding, the Ignatian concept of cura personalis (the care of the whole person) has been central to the mentorship programme at Hekima.[11] Students are accompanied through their respective programmes by an academic advisor.

Spiritual activities

Hekima College is founded on the Ignatian Spirituality. The College has historically endeavoured to promote Ignatian principles. Since its founding the Eucharist has been celebrated twice daily throughout the week, and College Mass every Wednesday.[11]

Sports and clubs

The various sports engaged in by Hekima students have included football, basketball, volleyball, and table tennis.[12] Historically there are several annual sports competitions, including a competition between current students and freshmen, and a competition between Jesuit and non-Jesuit students.[13]

References
  1. "SoftKenya". Archived from the original on 2016-02-13. Retrieved 2016-02-07.
  2. User, Super. "Who we are". hipsir.hekima.ac.ke. Retrieved 2017-10-09.
  3. "UPCOMING EVENT: HEKIMA Institute of Peace Studies and International Relations". Catholic Theological Ethics in the World Church. Retrieved 2017-10-09.
  4. "In Kenya, joining Pope Francis on a pilgrimage of hope". America Magazine. 2015-11-30. Retrieved 2017-10-09.
  5. "What is JHIA?". Jesuit Historical Institute in Africa (JHIA) - An institute dedicated to preserving memory and promoting historical knowledge in Africa and its adjacent islands. Retrieved 2017-10-09.
  6. The Cambridge Encyclopedia of the Jesuits. Armstrong, Megan and Corkery, James , SJ, and Fleming, Alison and Worcester, Thomas SJ Prieto, Andrés Ignacio Shea, Henry. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9781108508506.CS1 maint: others (link)
  7. "Management". hekima.ac.ke. Retrieved 2017-10-09.
  8. James Stormes, et al. Transitional Justice in Post-Conflict Societies in Africa. Nairobi: Paulines Africa, 2016. ISBN 9966-08-981-0.
  9. "Hekima Institute of Peace Studies and International Relations — Mission". hipsir.hekima.ac.ke. Retrieved 2016-12-06.
  10. "Who we are". hipsir.hekima.ac.ke. Retrieved 2016-12-06.
  11. "Spiritual Activities: Hekima University College". Hekima University College.
  12. "Sports, Games, and Clubs: Hekima University College". Hekima University College.
  13. "Sports, Games, and Clubs". Hekima University College.

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