Hekima College is a

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school of

theology Theology is the systematic study of the nature of the divine and, more broadly, of religious belief. It is taught as an academic discipline, typically in universities and seminaries. It occupies itself with the unique content of analyzing the ...

Nairobi Nairobi ( ) is the capital and largest city of Kenya. The name is derived from the Maasai phrase ''Enkare Nairobi'', which translates to "place of cool waters", a reference to the Nairobi River which flows through the city. The city proper ha ...

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, affiliated with the

Catholic University of Eastern Africa Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA), is a multi-campus private university in Kenya. It is accredited by the Commission for University Education in Kenya. Location The main campus of the university is located along Bogani East Roa ...

. It opened in 1984 as a seminary for Jesuits studying to be

priests A priest is a religious leader authorized to perform the sacred rituals of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and one or more deity, deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in p ...

. Since its opening, Hekima has diversified its student base. In 2004 it opened the Institute of Peace Studies and International Relations (HIPSIR).

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. 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.

Academics

Hekima College began as the English-speaking Jesuit theologate in

Sub-Saharan Africa Sub-Saharan Africa is, geographically, the area and regions of the continent of Africa that lies south of the Sahara. These include West Africa, East Africa, Central Africa, and Southern Africa. Geopolitically, in addition to the List of sov ...

for Jesuits studying for the priesthood, offering the same courses and programmes to lay women and men.

Programmes

* Bachelor of Theology (BTh): this program satisfies the requirements for the Bachelor of Sacred Theology Degree (STB) as set down in the Apostolic Constitution of

Pope John Paul II Pope John Paul II ( la, Ioannes Paulus II; it, Giovanni Paolo II; pl, Jan Paweł II; born Karol Józef Wojtyła ; 18 May 19202 April 2005) was the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from 1978 until his ...

, Sapientia Christiana, as well as the requirements for the Degree of Bachelor of Arts in Theology of the

. * Post-Graduate Diploma in Pastoral Theology

Courses

* Lay Theological Formation * Ignatian Directed Retreat * Directed Retreat * Certificate in Management * Certificate in Catholic Social Thought & Peacebuilding * Certificate in Post-conflict Transformation

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 Carl Frederick Buechner ( ; July 11, 1926 – August 15, 2022) was an American author, Presbyterianism, Presbyterian Minister (Christianity), minister, preacher, and theologian. The author of thirty-nine published books, his work encompassed d ...

. 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). 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.James Stormes, et al. ''Transitional Justice in Post-Conflict Societies in Africa.'' . 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." HIPSIR publishes ''HIPSIR Newsletter'' and ''The Peace Dialogue''.

Student life

Mentorship programme

Since its founding, the Ignatian concept of

cura personalis ''Cura personalis'' is a Latin phrase that translates as "care for the entire person." suggests individualized attention to the needs of the other. The expression is a hallmark of Ignatian spirituality that is commonly used by the Catholic Chur ...

(the care of the whole person) has been central to the mentorship programme at Hekima. 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.

Sports and clubs

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

References

{{authority control Universities and colleges in Kenya Jesuit universities and colleges Educational institutions established in 1984 Transitional justice 1984 establishments in Kenya