The Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA), was founded in 1984 as graduate school of theology known as the Catholic Higher Institute of Eastern Africa by the regional ecclesiastical authority known as the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences of Eastern Africa (AMECEA). Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia are the member countries of AMECEA. In 1989, the Institute obtained the “Letter of Interim Authority” as the first step towards its establishment as a private university. The faculty of arts was established in 1989. In 2002, the Faculties of Science and Commerce were established. Then in 2003, the Center for Social Justice & Ethics was established. Later the law School, Institute for  Regional Integration and Canon Law were established . The University offer certificate, diploma, bachelor, master and PhD degree programmes.

Above: Modern Conference Facility at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa  

The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences is one of oldest academic faculty where scholars and researchers teach students and help them navigate through the various academic offerings and make choices that reflect student goals and priorities. The faculty has eight fully pledged academic departments namely; Development Studies, English, Geography and Environmental Science, History, Kiswahili, Religious Studies, Philosophy and Social Sciences.

Above: The Modern Learning Resource Center (Library) at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences prides itself as a pace setter in academic activities. The faculty has launched an online Journal Kumekucha; a Swahili word for dawn has come. The faculty engages in both local and international research. The faculty takes keen interest in partnerships for building capacity and internationalizing the quality of education offered. The faculty also collaborates with industries to give the students practical feel of their educational training. The Key highlights of research interests include heritage, conflict and peace studies, governance, gender, democratization, development processes, theatre and arts, gender studies, interfaith dialogue, climate change,  migrations, sustainable development goals, poverty, community empowerment etc

Above: The Catholic University of Eastern Africa library The faculty has in the recent past accelerated on programme development particularly at the post graduate level. The faculty has also established institutional linkages with various institutions of higher learning. These are  Holy Cross College in the USA, St Elizabeth University of Science and Social Work, Institute of Mass Communication, the Catholic University of France and the University of Nice  The faculty holds an interdisciplinary session once every academic year to allow staff and students interrogate on various academic issues. The student population is diverse and is drawn from countries of the region. At the faculty students develop knowledge in their area of discipline and acquire skills for rewarding and  meaningful careers. Student support services are available at the faculty.

Above: students at CUEA campus. The faculty works closely with the directorate of research to foster an active research culture, encourage innovation and creativity among staff and students in order to inform political, social and economic policy and monitor implementation of programmes.

Above: Professors John Strachan and Rebecca McGuire-Snieckus from Bath Spa University visit CUEA library.

The faculty is committed to community service in and outside the campus. The faculty community service activities are in line with the vision and mission of the University. Apart from material support the faculty envisage service learning model of serving the community. The contact person is Professor Samuel A. Nyanchoga; Dean Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences snaynchoga@cuea.edu or samnyanchoga@hotmail.com

The Catholic University of Eastern Africa has had a longstanding partnership with Bath Spa University and Addis Ababa University, including a successful multi-partner Horizon 2020 bid (Horizon 2020, Project ID: 734596, EUR 1, 107, 000) exploring Slavery in Africa: a dialogue between Europe and Africa with Bath Spa University, Addis Ababa University and CUEA as part of this consortium. By unanimous vote, CUEA was elected as a member of the Global Academy of Liberal Arts at the Governance meeting Chaired by the Vice Chancellor of Bath University, Professor Sue Rigby, alongside four other African Universities, including, Addis Ababa University (Ethiopia), Witwatersrand University (South Africa) and the University of Namibia (Namibia).

Above: Pro Vice Chancellor of Bath Spa University, Professor John Strachan presents membership to the GALA network to Rev. Prof. Stephen Mbugua, Vice Chancellor of CUEA