Introduction

Angola is slowly moving toward a peaceful future after years of devastating civil war. The peace process received an important acceleration with the inauguration of the new reconciliation government. One of the biggest challenges ahead, however, is the rebuilding of the country's post-war society. Meeting immediate human needs is a necessary current focus, but belief in a recovered and thriving Angola requires attention to long-term needs also, including institutions of higher learning which will educate Angolans in Angola, at the highest world standards.

In response to this situation, His Eminence Alexandre Cardinal do Nascimento and the Roman Catholic Church of Angola started to work toward establishing Angola's first private institution of higher learning, the Catholic University of Angola (CUA). A major step forward in this direction was made in December 1992, when the Government of Angola approved legislation recognizing the Catholic University of Angola as a juridical and fiscal entity, and a full-curriculum institution of higher education.

While the Cardinal has visualized this university for many years, it is now, with a more favorable social and political situation, that the establishment of the university is within reach. Resolving the conflicts and addressing the problems associated with prolonged internal armed struggle are the highest priority in Angola today. Nevertheless, it is hoped that an institution such as the Catholic University of Angola can make an important contribution in building a better future for the Angolan people.

The existing state university of Angola is located in Luanda and is named after Agostinho Neto, the first president of Angola. It has three campuses that have been severely devastated by economic conditions and the war, and work is under way to improve its current conditions. The Catholic University of Angola will grow in synergy, collaboration and friendly competition with the Agostinho Neto University, in an effort to expand access to higher education for all Angolans and improve the standard of the Angolan academic environment.