Answer (A): African University Foundation is the vehicle to mobilize international financial support and other forms of support essential for the construction of African University. African University Foundation was incorporated on January 04, 1994 at Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.A. as a (501)(c)(3) non-profit organization. The United States Internal Revenue Service granted African University Foundation’s tax-exempt status on June 11, 1998.
A: African University will be funded by the voluntary contributions of individuals and organizations interested and able to support higher education in Africa.
A: You may restrict your contribution to be used to strengthen the objectives of the following funds: Annual Fund, Capital Fund, Endowment Fund, Farm Fund, General Fund, and Scholarship Fund. The General Fund is the least restrictive that supports the African University Foundation’s operational efforts.
A: Yes.
A: African University will be located at the unique location of Tali, Manyu Division in the South West Region of Cameroon which provides a community atmosphere and pleasant educational environment. It provides the typical peace, serenity and pollution-free environment associated with the rural world. Tali is situated in the forested region of the South West Region in Cameroon, a recognized biodiversity “hotspot.” It has a tropical climate and a relatively flat topography. Tali is 5 miles from the mostly untarred highway from the cities of Mamfe and Kumba. Construction and tarring of the Mamfe to Kumba highway will begin soon. Iis part of the African superhighway linking Cameroon to Nigeria. Building a highway to Nigeria is a necessary condition to enhance African communication, integration, and commerce. Another highway from Dchang and Menji (formerly called Fontem) leads to Tali. In the 1940s an English anthropologist, Malcolm Ruel, lived with the Tali people and wrote a book about the culture, politics and leadership in Manyu. The title of the book is “Leopards and Leaders: Constitutional Politics Among a Cross River People.” The former Governor Baiyee Arikai Tanyitiku (retired) of Cameroon ‘s Eastern Region is from Tali. Supreme Court Justice Hillman Egbe, Former Governor Enow Abrams of the Adamawa and South Regions, former Governor Enow Tanjong (retired) of the South West and North West Region of Cameroon are from the Tali area. Other prominent Cameroonians such as the late Honorable Emmanuel Tabi Egbe spent his formative years in Tali and eventually taught at Tali’s Government Primary School established in 1922. The preeminent Cameroonian educator and politician, Dr. A.D. Mengot, taught at the Tali Government Primary School. The late distinguished university academic and administrator, Dr. Tanyi Mbuagbaw who authored the book “African Philosophy of Education” among other academic works was from Tali.
A: Tali is the most logical site to build African University because of the availability and richness of the land for agriculture as well as its conducive climate and topography. Farms will be an integral part of African University. Tali is endowed with rich tropical forest and three rivers, Nfu, Nfi, Bawoh and Ejue Nfu. In 1999, the Tali Council reserved ten square miles of land for the construction of African University. Tali has a primary school built in the early part of the Twentieth Century, post office, and health center. The Cameroon Government recently opened a Government Technical College in Tali. Tali Primary School played a key role in the education of prominent individuals of Manyu Division. Other secondary schools situated around Tali include Government Secondary School, Ebeagba; Government Secondary School, Bachua Akabe; Queen of the Rosary College, Okoyong; Seat of Wisdom College, Menji; Government High School, Mamfe; Government High School, Tinto, Presbyterian High School, Bessong Abang. A secondary school in Cameroon is commonly called a college. African University will thrive in Tali. Historically, some renowned universities around the world started in villages. A well-structured and functioning university will not only attract competent students and faculty, but also adequate funding.
A: Establishing regional campuses with some degree of specialization is would be important and one that is within the plan of African University. These satellite campuses will be established after the main campus in Tali is fully functional. A critical challenge in the design of African University would be to incorporate and preserve a unified identity at all its campuses. For example, all branches must not only promote efficiency, but also be sensitive to local realities and be flexible to changing social conditions. Also, all campuses of African University must be committed to the values of integrity, creativity, and excellence. What this means is that African University campuses would simultaneously have regional uniqueness as well as a unifying framework.
A: African University will be designed to attract tourists or visitors besides academics and students. Local materials such as the red soil of Tali may be used to to the degree necessary in construction of African University. Environmental concerns will be taken into account in the design of African University especially given the rich equatorial rainfarest flora and fauna of the Tali region.
A: A dedicated Board of Trustees and a staff currently manages and governs African University Foundation. African University Foundation’s Board of Governors in Cameroon will manage and supervise the effective implementation of African University initiative in Tali, Cameroon.
A: The idea of African University came to William Agbor Baiyee during his doctoral program in Higher Education at Indiana University, Bloomington. His inspiration and commitment to the project lie in the expectation that African University will provide an alternative model of higher education in Africa. He sees the African University initiative as a dynamic mechanism to engage Africans and the international community in the application of resources to develop African talent. Also, he believes that the African University project offers donors a unique opportunity to be involved in the development of human capital in Africa.
A: Fundraising for phase one of African University is underway. The new institution will be launched in Tali soon.