| Africa University affected by Zimbabwes economic problems By Duane Ewers United Methodist News Service  Africa University must develop strategies to sustain its infrastructure to operate in Zimbabwes environment of economic turmoil, according to its governing board. The universitys operating environment was the focus of the Nov. 13-14 meeting of the universitys board of directors, which convened amid the schools 10th anniversary celebration. Africa University Vice Chancellor Rukudzo Murapa presented to the board examples of the negative macroeconomic environment affecting the operating environment for Africa University. They include: - A hyper-inflation rate of more than 140 percent and spiraling food prices;
- Increasing demands for increased wages to keep up with the inflation rate;
- An employment rate of 60 percent; and
- Increasing shortages of basic commodities like sugar, meal, bread, soap, beef and chicken.
In this context, Murapa said, Long-term planning is very difficult. Cash flow planning is the most critical issue in the day-to-day management of university activities. Student enrollment has reached an all-time high of 1,107 students. Board members created two subcommittees development and audit to address recurring water pressure, supply and budget problems. Of significant concern during the meeting were the fund raising activities by Kenya Methodist University in the United Methodist annual conferences in the United States. The concern centered on the confusion as congregations and individuals are asked to give to Kenya University as well as to Africa University. Board members will develop more effective ways to tell the Africa University story and explain the institutions relationship to the United Methodist Church. Africa University is the only United Methodist-related degree-granting university on the continent. In spite of the negatives impacting the operating environment, board members found instances to celebrate the universitys 10-years of existence. We are providing access to higher education for those who are often left out, said the Rev. Jerome King Del Pino, top executive at the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry, Nashville. After a visit to the campus Bishop Felton E. May expressed delight in the university. As I watched the students coming from all directions, going to the classrooms, carrying their books, and chatting with their friends from the different countries of Africa, I said, I am witnessing a miracle. Board members also celebrated the 899 graduates who are providing important leadership in many countries of Africa and helping to address the systemic problems that most of the countries on the continent face. Other notes of celebration included: - Two new dorms constructed by funds provided by the South Indiana Annual Conference;
- Two new staff houses completed bringing new staff housing to a total of 10 in 10 years;
- A $1.8 million USAID-approved grant for academic facilities for the Institute of Peace, Leadership, and Governance and $1 million to be made available for the Health Science building, contingent upon Africa University raising a matching $1 million; and
- The Africa University Endowment Fund reaching a September market value of $17,203,000 with a recovery of 3% in October.
One of the most important actions to come from board meetings are the determinations to secure additional funds for scholarships for international students to help make the Africa University student body more Pan-African, said Bishop Emilio J. M. de Carvalho, university chancellor and chairman of the board of directors. Africa University must focus on the development and maturing of the infrastructure of AU so that we can sustain serving the number of students enrolled and continue to provide access to higher education for those who are often left out, del Pino said. | 
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