African Leadership University: Rethinking Education in Africa

The African Leadership University is a revolutionary academic institution that seeks to create a more prosperous and peaceful Africa by developing the next generation of ethical and entrepreneurial African leaders. It aims to... [ view full abstract ]

The African Leadership University is a revolutionary academic institution that seeks to create a more prosperous and peaceful Africa by developing the next generation of ethical and entrepreneurial African leaders. It aims to do this by utilizing cutting-edge technology, experiential learning, and entrepreneurship in its curriculum to provide a world-class education to its students. Indeed, ALU was founded on the premise that traditional tertiary universities have done little to prepare Africans for the challenges that face our Continent: high unemployment, poverty, and corruption among others. ALU wants Africans to find African solutions to African problems. By 2050, the University intends to have 25 campuses across the Continent with over 3 million graduates. But how does ALU intend to achieve this? How does its learning model differ from a liberal arts education? Is this unorthodox approach to African education efficacious? By listening to Sena Voncujovi’s (Middlebury ’17) experience as a study abroad student at ALU last year, the College Community will learn: 1) why ALU’s unique learning model is necessary to unlock youth potential for development in Africa, 2) the failure of traditional tertiary universities in Africa to achieve this, and 3), how entrepreneurship and liberal arts may be combined for a truly transformative and impactful education.