Solusi University

Solusi University

Former names	Solusi College (1894–1990)
Motto	'We serve'
Type	Private
Established	1894
Affiliation	Seventh-day Adventist Church
Location	Bulawayo , Zimbabwe
Campus	Rural, 12,000 acres (49 km^2)
Colors	Burnt orange and white
Website	solusi.ac.zw

Solusi University is a coeducational private university in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.

Initially established in 1894, the institution received the authorization of the Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe through an act of Parliament to operate as a university in 1994.^[1] As a university it first opened on 4 October 1994, the first private institution of higher education in the country. Following the granting of the charter by the Government it was renamed Solusi University. The university follows American grading and business, research, and liberal arts curricular patterns.^[2] It is owned and run by the Seventh-day Adventist Church and is part of the Seventh-day Adventist education system, the world's second largest Christian school system.^[3][4][5][6]

History

Beit Hall

Solusi Mission was the first Seventh-day Adventist mission station in Africa. It was founded in 1894 on 12,000 acres of land given by Cecil Rhodes, prime minister of Cape Colony, to Pieter Wessels and Asa T. Robinson.^[7] On October 31, 1956, the board of regents of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists approved Solusi Mission Training School to become a college. In 1958, Solusi College was giving bachelor's degrees to church workers throughout southern and central Africa to meet the needs of a growing church membership. Later on negotiations were made to receive affiliation with a Seventh-day Adventist university in the United States. In October 1984 Solusi College became affiliated with Andrews University. During the 10 years of affiliation with Andrews University, Solusi College grew rapidly. New courses were added and enrollment increased by 500%.^[8] In 1991 Solusi College submitted an application to become a private university. In March 1992 the National Council visited Solusi College. In July 1994, a charter established Solusi University. On May 4, 1995, His Excellency, Cde Robert Gabriel Mugabe, gave the Solusi University Charter to chancellor, Dr I. D. Raelly. His Excellency became the first graduate as recipient of the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws. With the establishment of Solusi University, granting of Andrews University degrees became obsolete in August 1998.^[9]

The university has 105 faculty members and a student-faculty ratio of 3:1.

Notable alumni

• Professor Levi Nyagura, former vice-chancellor of University of Zimbabwe
• Charles Mhlauri, former Zimbabwe national football team coach^{[citation needed]}
• Dr. Pardon Mwansa, vice chancellor, Rusangu University^{[citation needed]}
• Joshua Maphonga, philosopher, artist, author

Notable faculty

• Norman Maphosa, Vice-Chancellor of Solusi University

See also

• List of Seventh-day Adventist colleges and universities
• Seventh-day Adventist education

References

1. "Adventist University in Africa : Solusi University".
2. "Education in Zimbabwe :: Solusi University". Archived from the original on 18 November 2007.
3. "For real education reform, take a cue from the Adventists". 15 November 2010 – via Christian Science Monitor.
4. "Seventh-Day Adventism". Archived from the original on 23 March 2015.
5. "Department of Education, Seventh-day Adventist Church". Archived from the original on 17 October 2017. Retrieved 18 June 2010.
6. Rogers, Wendi; Kellner, Mark A. (1 April 2003). "World Church: A Closer Look at Higher Education". Adventist News Network. Retrieved 19 June 2010.
7. "Visit to Solusi University in Zimbabwe". Biblical Research Institute. Retrieved 6 May 2019.
8. "Seventh-day Adventist Church:Solusi Mission College". The Rhodesian Study Circle. Retrieved 6 May 2019.
9. "Seventh-day Adventist Church:Solusi University". The Rhodesian Study Circle. Retrieved 6 May 2019.

External links

• Official website

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