Hekima University College
Hekima University College is a Jesuit school of theology in Nairobi, Kenya, affiliated with the Catholic University of Eastern Africa. It opened in 1984 mainly as a seminary for Jesuits studying to be priests, and has greatly expanded since then. In 2004 it opened the Institute of Peace Studies and International Relations .Hekima College was founded in 1984 as a school of theology by the Major Superiors of the Society of Jesus in Africa and Madagascar.
Its central aim and purpose was to provide a first theological formation at University level for Jesuit students preparing for priesthood. Hekima College has been recognised as a Constituent College of The Catholic University of Eastern Africa in the University Charter. Relations between the College and the University are established by the terms of the Constituent Colleges Convention, dated 10th June 1993.
Besides the central aim and purpose of providing courses in theology for the members of the Society of Jesus, the College was to “offer formation for men and women seeking to take their place in the evangelizing mission of the Church, be they religious or lay people.” It is in line with this second aim and to respond to new challenges that in 2004 Hekima College celebrated its 20th anniversary.
Hekima University College Courses Offered
Certificate Courses
Certificate in Retreat Direction
The aim of this programme is to train students to direct people in an eight-day retreat. The programme covers listening skills, dynamics of a directing relationship, how to conduct interviews, helpful Scriptural passages, discernment of spirits, etc. The programme is open to people who have already made an individually-directed eight-day retreat, and who are being prepared to be prayer guides, or formators in their respective congregation.
The programme runs over 20 Saturday morning from September to March. In order to qualify for the certificate at the end of the programme, full attendance of all the sessions is mandatory.
Certficate in Theology for the Laity
This certificate course is aimed at lay Catholics who are active in their respective parishes in ministries of the Word, or the Eucharist, or attending to the sick, or music, etc., and who want to deepen their understanding of their faith. The course introduces learners to diverse areas of theology, like Sacred Scripture, Christology, Trinity, Spirituality, Christian ethics, Canon law, liturgy, etc.
The programme runs through a two-year cycle on a hop-on, hop-off basis. Students who complete the full two years are eligible for a Certificate of participation in theology.
Bachelor Of Theology
This programme established in 1984 is a three-year first degree in theology, awarded by the Catholic University of Eastern Africa. It is the normal first degree in theology for candidates for priesthood in the Catholic Church, as well as for laypeople who want a broad exposure to the traditional themes in Catholic theology. The programme engages African themes, pastoral practice, as well as ecumenical concerns. The programme prepares students for sound and competent pastoral leadership in fidelity to the foundational spirituality.
Entry requirements to the programme include a university-entrance certificate from the student’s country of origin, equivalent to the KCSE, and certified by KNEC, as well as two years of undergraduate philosophical studies.tern Africa.
Baccalaureate In Theology
Course Duration : 3 Years
This ecclesiastical degree is awarded by the Faculty of Theology of the Jesuits in Africa and Madagascar (FTJAM) erected by Pope Francis in 2017.
The programme provides a basic introduction to Catholic theology and its scientific method. It is the equivalent of the three-year BTh mentioned above, with the additional requirement of an adequate knowledge of Latin to understand simple eccclesiastical texts.
Entry to this programme is granted to students who have studied at least two years of philosophy, and who have permission to enroll in a civil university in their home country, or in Kenya.
Post-Graduate Diploma In Pastoral Theology
Hekima College offers a Post-Graduate Diploma in Pastoral Theology for those who have completed the full three year programme of theology at the College. This programme is on the following terms. Hekima College offers a Post-Graduate Diploma in Pastoral Theology in fulfilment of the requirements of a fourth year of theology. It can take place at Hekima University College or in another place under the direction of the College. Admission to the Diploma is open at present only to those who have completed the three year Bachelor of Theology degree at Hekima College.
Course Duration : 2 Years
Master Of Theology
This programme was approved by the Senate of the Catholic University of Eastern Africa in 2016.
It is a second degree in theology concentrating on systematic theology from the 19th and 20th Centuries, and their implications for Africa. The programme equips students with knowledge and skills to teach undergraduate theology, to lead reflection groups in parish-based programmes, and to begin publishing and research at an advanced level.
Entry to the MTh programme is open to graduates with an upper-second class pass in their first degree in theology, religious philosophy, or a cognate social science.
Licentiate In Sacred Theology (STL)
This second degree in theology is awarded by the Faculty of Theology of the Jesuits in Africa and Madagascar (FTJAM) erected by Pope Francis in 2017.
It is a two-year programme which is the beginning of specialised study in theology. At the moment the Hekima campus of FTJAM only offers a Licentiate in Systematic Theology. Our campus at ITCJ in Abidjan offers the Licentiate in Biblical Theology. An advanced knowledge of Latin is required in order to be able to understand important theological texts of the Western Catholic Church.
A licentiate in theology is required in order to teach in seminaries for the formation of priests.
Hekima Institute of Peace Studies and International Relations (HIPSIR)
Overview
Hekima Institute of Peace Studies and International Relations is part of Hekima College (founded 1984), which is a constituent college of the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA). HIPSIR is run by Jesuits (a.k.a. Society of Jesus, an international Catholic religious order), and is therefore founded on centuries of Jesuit educational tradition which puts emphasis on academic excellence and full human formation with a view to changing our society into better place. Jesuits run 220 universities and institutions of higher learning all over the world. The first Jesuit University, The Gregorian University, was founded in 1651.
Since its founding in 2004, the MA program at HIPSIR has received and graduated one hundred and four (104) students from diverse religious and political affiliations coming from different parts of Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America. Our students have come from Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Cameroun, North and South Sudan, Zambia, Eritrea, Burkina Faso, Central Africa Republic, Ghana, Poland, Ireland, India, Costa Rica, Korea, Indonesia and Venezuela. We have registered a completion rate of more than 90% of the students who enroll.
The alumni of the HIPSIR program are working in different sectors undertaking diverse activities, such as: consultancy in peacebuilding and conflict resolution interventions; government and academic institutions; research and social action institutions; NGOs and civil society, etc.
HIPSIR has a large continental and international network through Jesuit and non-Jesuit educational and social justice institutions – this enriches the experiences of different participants to the program. In Africa for example, HIPSIR is part of Jesuit network of social justice centres in Kenya, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Rwanda, Ivory Coast, Zimbabwe, Sudan, Uganda etc
Hekima Institute of Peace Studies and International Relations Programs Offered
Master of Arts Degree in Peace Studies and International Relations
The Institute offers a Master of Arts Degree in Peace Studies and International Relations. Certificate Courses of 36 hours per course unit are offered regularly. Post-Graduate Diploma in the same field will be offered starting August 2015
M.A. Programme
The Master of Arts Degree in Peace Studies and International Relations is designed as an intensive two-year academic programme with an emphasis on the major subject areas of the theory and practice of international affairs and conflict resolution. The M.A. degree is awarded on completion of a 20,000 word thesis. Students have the option of taking day or evening classes. Students who cannot complete the program in two years have the option of stretching the program to four years.
The course consists of two parts:
The first three semesters are devoted to full time study by course work and end-of-semester examinations.
The second semester of the second year is then taken up by a research project lasting a minimum of twelve weeks. Candidates will be allowed to commence their research project only after clearance with the supervisor and the Academic Board. MA students will commence writing their thesis once their thesis proposals have been presented, defended and approved by a minimum of three panelists as a fulfillment of the comprehensive examination.
Programme Information
Academic Year and Semesters
An academic year is equivalent to two semesters. A semester consists of 15 weeks, of which fourteen are for teaching and instruction, and one week for examinations.
Definition of Credit Hours
A credit is defined as one contact hour per week for fifteen weeks. A unit which has three contact hours per week is a three credit course.
Structure of the Programme
Candidates will be offered a set of core and non-core courses each semester. Each candidate of MA Programme must take a total of 63 credits. This means taking the 10 obligatory core courses and 3 non-core courses. The student is expected to pass all the courses they have registered for during the semester. In addition students are required to do a 12 Credit course on Thesis Proposal Writing which is divided into two parts: class course work and thesis Proposal defense. The research field work and Final thesis account for 12 additional credits. Students will also be required to defend their thesis.
The Dean of Studies, the Director of the Institute, and students registered for a given course will evaluate the quality of teaching, based on adherence to the curriculum, punctuality, and other factors to be determined by the Institute.
Jesuit School of Theology
Jesuit School of Theology was founded and maintained by the Major Superiors of the Society of Jesus in Africa and Madagascar in 1984 to provide a theological formation at the University level for Jesuit students preparing for priesthood.
Recorgnizing the needs for formation of pastral workers in the African Church, Hekima College opened its doors to form men and women who desired to serve the people of God as pastoral ministers. The College admits such students to its regular programs, seminars and workshops.
Based on the Jesuit tradition of excellence in education, Hekima College offers formation for men and women seeking to take their place in the evangelizing mission of the Church. In order to respond to new challenges when Hekima College celebrated its 20th Aniversary in 2004, the Institute of Peace Studies and International Relations was founded.
The founding of the Institute was in response to the growing need to build intellectual capacity for conflict management and peacebuilding in the continent of Africa especially in the Great Lakes region and the horn of Africa. The three-year program of theology satisfies the requirements for the Degree of Bachelor of Theology as set down in the Apostolic Constitution of Pope John Paul II, Sapientia Christiana, as well as the requirements for the Degree of Bachelor of Arts in Theology of the Catholic University of Eastern Africa.
Hekima University College Mentorship Program
Mentorship
Behind the idea of mentorship at Hekima College is Cura personalis (the care of the whole person) that is so critical in the Ignatian dynamics. It involves creating a conducive environment that allows the individual to thrive in the course they are registered for and to exert themselves to their maximum potential.
Academic Advising
An academic advisor at Hekima College accompanies the students throughout their academic program. The student meets the academic advisor to discuss their study plans. Beyond meeting at registration time, students are encouraged to meet with their advisors more often throughout the school year to discuss their academic experiences. The students should consult the academic advisor about the program and any questions of academic nature. The advising system presumes the responsibility, maturity and broad experience of the individual student
Whereas the academic advisors accompany the students, greater freedom is given to the students so that it is out of their own volition that they approach their advisors. When the process is taken seriously, both the student and the academic staff member stand to benefit from these encounters. The student learns the ropes while the academic advisor tries to dodge the potholes that may be found along the way to trap the unsuspecting apprentice.
Assigning Academic Advisor
The Dean or the head of the department where applicable is the main academic advisor of each student in the department but this responsibility is also delegated to other academic staff members of the department. The head of the department assigns each student an academic advisor from among the permanent members of staff of the department upon being registered as bonafide students of Hekima University College.
When students are admitted for studies at Hekima College, each of them is assigned an academic advisor. The academic advisor is often one of the permanent academic staff of the College. Their main responsibility is to accompany the students, giving them advice as they select their elective courses which help the student focus on the preferred area of specialization at the end of the program.
Changing Academic Advisor
A student may request a particular full-time lecturer as an academic advisor from the beginning. The student may also request a change of advisor only for sufficient reasons after being assigned one. The request is presented to the head of the department in writing and listing reasons for the change. The head of the department reviews the request and makes decision accordingly.
Academic Advising in Theology
Most of the students that are admitted for theology studies are in their formation towards ordination to the priesthood. They generally move as a cohort and they have most courses they take together. Their seminars and electives are very limited to one per semester. Even with the limited choices, the student selection of electives and seminars enables them to deepen their understanding of disciplines of preference. In a number of occasions, such selections are handy when the student goes for advanced studies in theology. The accompaniment by the academic advisor enables them to clarify their doubts.
Academic Advising for Peace Studies
In comparison to Theology, the students of Peace Studies and International Relations have wider choice of courses, especially the electives. Proper selection of these electives gives the student an early focus on possible areas for research when they will later be writing their thesis. The academic advisor helps the students sharpen this focus at an early stage of their studies. Students are always encouraged to visit with their academic advisors and maximize the benefit of such encounters.
Hekima Institute of Peace Studies and International Relations Contacts
Hekima Institute of Peace Studies and International Relations (HIPSIR)
Physical Address: Riara Road, off Ngong Road
Tel: +254 20 3860109 | +254 20 3860102
Mobile: +254 729 755905
Email: secretary.hipsir@hekima.ac.ke
Other Email Addresses:
Manager: carole@hekima.ac.ke
Registrar: registrar@hekima.ac.ke
Academic Dean: dean@hekima.ac.ke
Principal: principal@hekima.ac.ke
Hekima University College Contacts
Office Address
Hekima College – School of Theology
Physical Address: Joseph Kangethe Road – Ngong Rd
Postal Address: P.O. Box 21215 – 00505 NRB, Kenya
Phone: +254 20 3876608/9, 20 3999000
Mobile: +254 734 201288/ 722 201288
Fax: +254-20- 3999831
Email: dean@hekima.ac.ke, registrar@hekima.ac.ke, chief.librarian@hekima.ac.ke
Public relations: administrator@hekima.ac.ke
Website: www.hekima.ac.ke