The Catholic University of Angola is a legislative and fiscal entity approved by the Angolan Government per decree no. 38-A/92, approved and gazetted on August 7, 1992.

At the beginning of 1996, the Installation Commission was appointed in Luanda by the Bishop Conference of Angola and São Tomé, with the purpose of facilitating the establishment of the Catholic University of Angola. The University opened its first academic year with a preparation semester on February 22, 1999, and the Installation Commission has now become the Academic Commission of the Catholic University. His Eminence, Dom Alexandre Cardinal do Nascimento, chairs the Academic Commission in an advisory capacity.

How is the Catholic University of Angola funded? back to the top

As per decree no. 20/82 approved by the Angolan government on April 17, 1982, petroleum companies operating in Angola are required to invest into educational and training programs the amount of $0.15 (15¢ of U.S. dollar) per barrel of oil produced. These funds are commonly known as "Training Levy Funds".

The Council of Ministers of the Republic of Angola approved on July 11, 1997, the decree no. 51/97, in an effort to provide a funding mechanism for higher education institutions in the country. The decree states that a portion of the Training Levy Funds, in the amount of 1¢ per oil barrel, will be used to finance the Catholic University.

A similar decree (no. 46/97, also approved on July 11, 1997) allocates the same amount (1¢ per oil barrel) to provide supplementary financing for the Agostinho Neto State University. Angola produced some 300 millions barrels in 1998. Please see copies of a series of decrees passed by the Angolan government regarding the relationship between oil exploration/production and education/professional training (click here).

Also relevant is the fact that the Angola Educational Assistance Fund, through the relentless work of his Chairman, Michael LeM. Kennedy, has been the strongest and first proponent to the Angolan Government of both decree 46/97 and decree 51/97.

Where is the Catholic University of Angola? back to the top

The Catholic University of Angola is located in Luanda, the capital of Angola, at the former Colegio St. Josè de Cluny. This newly remodeled building is in front of the Museum of History, one block from the Kinashish Market, and will house the first two faculties of the university in its first years of existence. The final buildings complex of the Catholic University will be built on a selected site and will host additional faculties. Also, subsidiaries are considered in other important Angolan cities.

When was the Catholic University of Angola inaugurated? back to the top

The inauguration of the Catholic University of Angola was celebrated on October 29, 1999. The first academic year started on October 11, 1999, for the Department of Law and the Department of Economics. The Department of Computer Engineering started its first classes on March 10, 2001.

How many students are enrolled? back to the top

There are about 1000 students currently enrolled in the three departments.

What is the language of instruction? back to the top

The curriculum is instructed in Portuguese. The administration of the university is done in Portuguese. English as a Second Language (ESL) courses are offered as part of the curriculum.

Who is eligible to apply for admission to the Catholic University of Angola? back to the top

The Catholic University of Angola is an Angolan institution, open to all Angolans; it will be ruled by principles of absolute liberty of access, regardless of race, gender, religion or economic condition. Limits on enrollment will only derive from available space and academic selection criteria. The Catholic University of Angola is charging a tuition.

Who makes decisions concerning admissions and hiring of staff? back to the top

All decisions concerning the governing of the Catholic University of Angola are made by the Academic Commission, which is headed by the Rector, Bishop Damião Franklin.

What is the relationship between the Catholic University of Angola and the Catholic Church? back to the top

The Cardinal of Angola, Dom Alexandre do Nascimento, was the driving force behind the Catholic University of Angola. He believes that an open and modern university run by Angolans and for Angolans, is one of the most important cornerstones in building a strong and self-sufficient nation. While Cardinal do Nascimento, Bishop Franklin and other members of the clergy have been instrumental in seeing through this project, the university does not receive funding from the Catholic Church, nor will the curriculum contain specific religious orientation. Although the university will be inspired by Christian moral values, religious affiliation has no bearing on admissions.

What is the relationship between the Catholic University of Angola and Citizens Energys? back to the top

Citizens Energy Corporation, a Boston based non-profit energy company, has had continuing commercial interests in Angola in the oil sector since 1987. In 1992, Cardinal do Nascimento approached Michael LeM. Kennedy, the late Chairman of Citizens Energy , with his idea of an Angolan university. At that time, Michael Kennedy was in Angola on behalf of the U.S. State Department, serving as an observer of the first democratic elections in the country. Michael was looking for sustainable ways to use Citizens' commercial success to help Angola recover from years of civil war, and he was able to convince partner companies to join Citizens Energy in contributing to the Cardinal's dream of building a new institution of higher learning.
In 1996, after a delay due to a new outbreak of war shortly after the elections, donations from Citizens Energy, Mobil (USA) , Saga (Norway), and Energy Africa (South Africa), were used to found the Angola Educational Assistance Fund, a not-for-profit organization that supports the Catholic University of Angola through international networking and advising. While the purpose of the Angola Educational Assistance Fund is to provide assistance to the Catholic University of Angola and to other education initiatives, the Angola Educational Assistance Fund and the Catholic University of Angola are independent organizations with separate governing bodies and separate funding mechanisms. As previously mentioned, the Bishop Conference of ANgola and São Tome' has full responsibility for the governing of the Catholic University of Angola.

Have other nations assisted with the establishment of the Catholic University of Angola? back to the top

Yes. The United States is only one of the many nations that have lent assistance to the Catholic University. Among the others who have made significant contributions are Portugal, South Africa, Norway, Spain and Italy. These contributions came mainly from the private and the non-governmental sector.

How can I teach at the Catholic University of Angola? back to the top

The Academic Commission is accepting applications for teaching positions from qualified candidates possessing a graduate degree in a relevant field (law, economics, political science), and who are fluent in Portuguese. Applicants should send a cover letter and resume to the Catholic University of Angola. Please visit its web site at http://www.ucan.edu/ for contact information.

What is the role of the Angola Educational Assistance Fund (AEAF)? back to the top

The Angola Educational Assistance Fund was incorporated as a not-for-profit organization in Boston, MA, in May 1996. Financial support was provided by Citizens Energy, Mobil (USA), Saga (Norway) and Energy Africa (South Africa). The mission of the Angola Educational Assistance Fund is to support the Catholic University of Angola and to promote high standards of academic learning in Angola.

Does the Angola Educational Assistance Fund provide financial assistance (grants, scholarships or fellowships)? back to the top

The Angola Educational Assistance Fund (AEAF) was created to operate as a non-profit organization to facilitate the establishment of the Catholic University of Angola and to promote the collaboration between higher education institutions in Angola and abroad. The resources of the AEAF are currently fully concentrated toward this effort and, as of today, we are not sponsoring individual students at the Catholic University (or any other learning institution in Angola and elsewhere). The AEAF may decide in the future to provide scholarships for students at the Catholic University (or elsewhere).

Who can help or get involved? back to the top

We especially encourage the private sector to become involved and contribute financial and human resources to the project. A socially responsible and sustainable approach to business is crucial to help the country recover and rebuild its society. By supporting the Angola Educational Assistance Fund, corporations will promote their own long term interests in Angola.

Are there other ways to help? back to the top

One of the most formidable tasks ahead will be the establishment of a computer classroom that uses state of the art technology. It is important to make affordable Internet access available at the Catholic University of Angola. Internet access will provide students with the opportunity to access information pages in Portugal, Mozambique, Brazil, and to benefit from distance learning programs. The Angola Educational Assistance Fund welcomes the support of development organizations already engaged in such activities.

Why does AEAF not directly support the Agostinho Neto State University or its branches in the provinces? back to the top

The AEAF was originally founded to support the Catholic University of Angola. The Catholic University does not receive state funding and has to rely solely on the above mentioned allocation of the oil training funds. The AEAF plays a crucial support role for an university still in its infancy, and must therefore keeps its resources extremely focused and dedicated. In any case, the AEAF has been often in contact with the Agostinho Neto University to seek collaboration in certain areas of activity, but has at this point in time not committed to any financial assistance.

Does the AEAF have a Catholic profile? back to the top

The AEAF does not have a religious affiliation. However, its ethic is based on concepts of Christian humanism, and its purposes are not-for-profit.