FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 22, 1999
Contact: Ellen Olafsen (617) 951-0433
THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF ANGOLA STARTS
PREPARATION CLASSES FOR ITS FIRST ACADEMIC YEARUniversity to open after 3 years of intense preparation
LUANDA, ANGOLA - Today the Catholic University of Angola opened its doors for the first time to students and staff. 350 students and their families gathered in the newly refurbished University building in the center of Luanda to mark this important day.
Extensive effort has been invested in the construction and establishment of the Catholic University of Angola since Cardinal do Nascimento approached late Michael LeM. Kennedy during the 1992 democratic elections, asking for his support in building a new university. After years of instability due to a resumption of the civil war in 1993/94, and following on the Cardinal’s request, the Angola Educational Assistance Fund was founded to support the Catholic University of Angola and promote higher education in Angola. Since then professors have been hired, curricula have been developed and a university library and computer and Internet center have been established. On October 18, 1999, the official opening ceremony will take place, and 4-year programs in Law and Economics will start.
"This moment marks the end of the first long and suffered preparation stage, but it is also the beginning of a great hope for the Angolan society. This University will form citizens more conscious of social justice and more active in the social and political life of their country, in a perspective of respect to human dignity in all aspects of life", said His Eminence, Dom Alexandre do Nascimento, Cardinal of Angola and Chairman of the Catholic University, in his opening remarks.
The Angola Educational Assistance Fund has played a vital role in supporting the Catholic University both financially, in a consultant role and in establishing international contacts.
"The opening of the University truly represents the realization of Michael LeM. Kennedy's dream of helping Angolans to self-determination", said AEAF President Filippo Nardin, who participated in the opening ceremony. "Michael always thought that a society should serve its people. The Catholic University of Angola will be a contribution toward that goal."
Angola, a country of great potential for its vast amounts of natural resources such as oil and diamonds and its climate favorable to agriculture, has been devastated by years of civil war. In order to rebuild the country economically and socially, the need for high quality academic education is significant. The establishment of the Catholic University of Angola constitutes one important building block in the enormous task of social and economic reconstruction.