Background on AEAF

Our Mission

To help establish the highest possible standard of education in Angola by supporting the development of the Catholic University of Angola, promoting collaboration between international and Angolan institutions, and encouraging the involvement of the private sector in the rebuilding of the Angolan society. The Angola Educational Assistace Fund is actively engaged in supporting the development of the Catholic University of Angola. The companies Citizens Energy, Energy Africa, Mobil and Saga are the founding sponsors of the Angola Educational Assistance Fund.

Background

In 1992, Angola held its first democratic and free elections. Michael Kennedy, Chairman of Citizens Energy, served as an observer for the UN during the elections. At that time, Cardinal do Nascimento approached him with a plea to help establish a new university for the young people of Angola. Over two decades of civil war had taken its toll on Angola and its educational system, and there was an urgent need for new institutions of higher education. While shortly thereafter the country again plunged into war, Citizens Energy began to look for ways to use its commercial presence in Angola to help realize the Cardinal’s dream. Finally, in 1996 the Angola Educational Assistance Fund (AEAF) was founded as a 501(c)3 organization under the United States Internal Revenue Code. The initial funding was provided by Citizens Energy, Energy Africa, SAGA Petroleum, and Mobil through proceeds from their partnership in the oil exploration business. Citizens Energy continued its commitment to help the Catholic University with additional funding to the AEAF. On February 22, 1999, the Catholic University of Angola was opened and 320 students were enrolled in an introductory semester of preparatory classes.

The Catholic University of Angola

The University has two departments: a Law Faculty and an Economy and Management Faculty. It is situated in the center of Luanda, not far from the Kinashish Market Square.

Information Technology

In the summer of 1998, the AEAF initiated the development of a state-of-the-art computer and Internet center at the Catholic University of Angola. The AEAF believed that in order for the Catholic University to be fully self-sufficient, it needed the technology and expertise to offer its student and faculty the means to access and share information. An international team of experts worked with an on-site AEAF consultant in Luanda to provide technical assistance and knowledge transfer, define guidelines, and help in the implementation process. Today, the University has a powerful network of servers, over 50 connected computers (mostly provided by the AEAF), and a permanent wireless Internet link. Computer training classes are held for students and faculty, and there are plans to offer computer training to the business community as well. The facilities have the capacity to be used for a variety of purposes, including distance learning, tele-center support, and links to other cities and remote areas of the country.

Books

In the fall of 1998, the AEAF initiated a program to supply the Catholic University of Angola with books for its Michael LeMoyne Kennedy Memorial Library. Together with the Sabre Foundation, the AEAF shipped a first container with 12,000 new and used textbooks, which arrived in Luanda in early April of this year. The original endeavor has now evolved to include refurbished computers for use by students and faculty at the Catholic University. The AEAF found two partners to organize its second shipment: the Southern Africa Book Drive of Professor W. Dudley at Salem State College, MA, and the East West Foundation in Boston. A container with 30,000 books and 60 computers is scheduled to arrive in Luanda mid-July.

Public Relations Programs

The AEAF is helping the Catholic University by organizing public relations activities (such as the visit to the US of His Eminence, Cardinal do Nascimento), promoting awareness programs for commercial companies expanding in Angola, and proposing collaboration with universities in the United States and abroad.