Project Proposal Document
A proposition concerning a possible future use of the former site of the International Christian Academy, otherwise known as “Ecole Baptiste” (French designation) or International Christian Academy – ICA (English designation), by the Association of Evangelical Baptist Churches (AEBECI): Bouaké Baptist University.
September 2006
Prologue
Due to the current crisis in Côte d'Ivoire, WorldVenture found it in the unenviable position of having to abruptly stop its activities at the International Christian Academy (ICA) in Bouaké and shut it down definitively. As a result of this closure and the departure of many of its colleagues, WorldVenture personnel in Côte d'Ivoire began to explore the possibility of handing over the school property to the AEBECI with who they have a privileged partner relationship. Through this process WorldVenture was approached by the AEBECI with the following proposal to use the site as a private Baptist university called the Bouaké Baptist University.
With this in mind the national bureau of the AEBECI put in place a project team asking that it begin working out the details of such a dream and present a project proposal. To work out this proposal a working group was constituted (see team list in the annex).
The following document is the result of this team’s efforts. Its object is to present a project proposal, giving a brief description of UBB. The following document will allow for a sound feasibility study and financial viability evaluation before the establishment of UBB.
Project Description:
1. Project Title: Bouaké Baptist University
2. Promoter: Association of Evangelical Baptist Churches of Côte d'Ivoire
3. Project Team Leader: Pastor Soro Soungalo, President of the Central Committee of the AEBECI churches of Abidjan, Director of the Evangelical Communication Training Center for Africa (CEFCA).
4. Project Description:
This project is a proposal of how to best use the site of the former International Christian Academy (ICA) of Bouaké.
The following proposal is in line with the educational nature which characterized ICA in Bouaké and is therefore designed to continue in the same spirit through the following:
- the establishment of an institution of higher education (a university level school) open to all with the aim of positively contributing to the development of both society and community within Côte d'Ivoire and beyond.
- conferring both the legal and official responsibility for the school to the AEBECI
- collaborating with WorldVenture in Côte d'Ivoire as a privileged partner at the inception and in the running of this new project
- partnering with American universities because of their experience and expertise in this area.
UBB will therefore be the product of collaboration with the WorldVenture and in partnership with American universities who would desire to be so associated with our vision.
5. Duration of the project: Undetermined
6. Financial Partners: the AEBECI, WorldVenture, Banking establishments and other contributors.
7. Kick-off date: November 2007
8. Partners: the AEBECI, WorldVenture American universities, the Ivorian Ministry of Higher Education, the Ministry of Technical and Professional Training, parents of students, private enterprises, interested embassies, etc.
9. Project location:
UBB will be located in Bouaké on the same site where ICA was located before its closure.
This site is built on a compound of 13 hectares which is composed of the following:
- 14 classrooms
- one library
- 8 dorms
- 16 houses and apartments
- sports halls and fields
- one chapel
- one industrial kitchen
- one cafeteria
- one infirmary
- one administration block with offices
- one maintenance shop and stores.
10. Project cost: to be determined following the financial feasibility study currently in process
A. Context and Justification
Education constitutes one of the defining factors in the life of man. Due to its importance schools have long been used as means of influencing society with the Gospel in missions across the world. One has simply to note the number of leaders in our societies that have been trained in confessional schools. For WorldVenture missionaries in northern Côte d'Ivoire health care has traditionally been their major contribution. Today there are a hospital and dispensaries designed to assist the populations in this region. Due to this form of evangelism many people trusted Christ, planted churches which now form the Association of Evangelical Baptist Churches of Côte d'Ivoire (AEBECI).
The implication of WorldVenture in the educational system through the channel of ICA in Bouaké was limited for the most part to the teaching and training of the children of missionaries working in West Africa. ICA followed a United States based educational program and curriculum.
The current social and political crisis that Côte d'Ivoire is living today has made it impossible for ICA to continue as it has in the past.
Although it is true that health care has shown itself crucial in the spread of the Good News, it is important today to adopt a more holistique approach in sharing the truth of the Gospel. For this reason, the AEBECI, in the hopes of continuing the work which WorldVenture began in Bouaké and in response to the their objectives for this century, the AEBECI, convinced that higher education today is a strategic sector in light of its impact on a nation, proposes the creation of a confessional private university called the “Bouaké Baptist University”, in collaboration with WorldVenture and in partnership with certain interested American universities.
B. Presentation of the Principle Sponsor
Le principle sponsor of this project is the Association of Evangelical Baptist Churches of Côte d'Ivoire (AEBECI), which is composed of more than 300 churches spread throughout Côte d'Ivoire.
Motivation of the Sponsor:
Aware of its role as a key player in the social development of Côte d'Ivoire the AEBECI has every intention of engaging itself fully in this task. The African economy and in particular the Ivorian economy is looking for a workable model in education. This model will not only be characterized by a worthwhile knowledge base and excellent competency but foremost, by its evident integrity. UBB by its nature, its goals and its organization, desires to be that place of education that characterizes such integrity in the African context. So it is the desire of UBB to bring together a superior academic product given in a beautiful setting together with thoroughness and founded on firm moral foundations.
1. Our goals are the following:
- to be a school of reference on both the academic and moral levels
- to play a decisive role in the training of Africa’s elite with the aim of positively influencing the future of our nations
- to live Christ through action, without words before all those who attend
- to offer to employment and education opportunities to both youth and professionals
2. Key factors for success:
- Originality: this will be the first university of its kind: Christian-Baptiste, Ivoiro-American
- Geographic location: Bouaké is the second largest city of Côte d’Ivoire, a cosmopolitan crossroads situated in the center of the country.
- Human resources are readily available both in quantity and quality for the good conduct of this project.
- Potential partnership with American universities.
C. Description of UBB
Our vision is to give a holistic education to our students, that is to say, an education that considers all dimensions of mankind.
UBB will be an Ivorian-American university of excellence engaged in degree qualifying education as well as continuing education. The diplomas awarded will be recognized by Côte d'Ivoire, the Africa and Madagascar Counsel for Higher Education (CAMES) as well as those universities with who a partnership has been signed.
1. Legal entity:
UBB is a private institution of higher education. Further legal study will permit the university the possibility of selecting an appropriate legal standing before the government of Côte d'Ivoire and its educational structures. For example: UBB could be organized as a Limited Responsibility Corporation (SARL – Société à Responsabilité Limitée).
2. Mission:
The principal purpose of UBB is to provide quality education to those who will in turn seek to serve their countries. In this way UBB will be a part the solution to the problems of poor governance, corruption and greed, which plague the development of this continent.
3. Objectives:
- the pursuit of evangelism through a system of education
- to train professionals who are qualified and competent in the areas of development
- to become a point of reference in the world of higher education
- to provide those attending UBB with an education that would respond to mankind in all his dimensions: physical, intellectual, moral and spiritual.
4. Areas of Education:
UBB will be composed of several schools of which the number may grow with time and the availability of faculty. At this time three schools are being proposed:
- School of Literature and Humanities
- School of Management and Administration
- School of Development
In addition to these three schools, the university will also have two laboratories: one in languages and the second in computer skills. The aim of these labs is to make it possible for students at UBB to follow the core classes using both English and information technology for both research and class preparation.
UBB will pursue accreditation through a recognized controlling body making it possible to award valid degrees in the areas of study. UBB intends to follow the LDM (License, Master and Doctorate) system in the awarding of degrees.
5. Additional Structures:
- Missiological Conference Centre (CCM):
- Bouaké Linguistic Center (CLB):
D. The Competition
There is a growing interest in Côte d'Ivoire in the private school sector. For many years the public educational system attempted to respond to the increasing need for professionals in Côte d'Ivoire. In recent years however, it has fallen far short of what is necessary for this country today. Because of this there has been in recent years a profusion of private schools and universities. In truth, the challenge of the future of this country lies with its educational institutions. It is for this reason that so many have responded to the need for quality education. For this reason and before responding to the question of means there is a question of ideology to which we are compelled to reply. We believe therefore, that there is a place in this country for an Evangelical Christian contribution to higher education. Our society is looking for model structures of education.
Due to the central its location, UBB will be able to attract a greater number of students from a variety of regions of Côte d'Ivoire, providing an opportunity for excellent education closer to home. In this way UBB will be in a position to reduce the cost of education for many students vicariously simply due to the reduced cost for rent, transportation, food, etc, of life in Bouaké, as well as contributing to the decongestion of Abidjan.
E. General Strategy
1. Organization:
UBB will be managed by the Direction operating under the authority of a Board of Directors composed of members of churches attached to the AEBECI and members of WorldVenture missionaries working in Côte d'Ivoire. Following the feasibility study of the project an organizational structure adapted to the situation at hand and according to good operational practice will be put in place.
2. Marketing and commercial stratagems:
This strategy will guarantee success in the beginning stages of UBB. Particular attention must be given to this question. Following the launching of this project the quality of the instruction, its professors and the degrees offered will permit UBB to gain a favorable reputation in the educational community. This strategy will also give an eye to the admission costs as well as communication in the market place.
F. Resources:
1. Human Resources:
The AEBECI today has a burgeoning number of highly qualified and uniquely skilled professionals. Many of these professionals have vast experience in both the public and private sectors. We can count well over a dozen PhD level professionals and well over 30 who have attained the Engineer level in their education.
At the same time the AEBECI could well benefit from the skill and expertise in the establishment of this project by those professionals of sister communities as well as others of this domain in the work place.
2. Material Means:
The actual investment needs for this project will be evaluated and presented following a feasibility study and financial projection proposals. This study will permit the identification of material and instructional requirements, technical equipment needs, rehabilitation of standing structures and the necessity of new construction, etc.
G. Time Table:
The feasibility study and financial projection proposal of the project (evaluation of requirements, financial plan, provisional budget, organizational plan…)
- Validation of the UBB Project
- Follow-up plan and project evaluation
- The establishment of the Board of Directors
- Recruitment of the president of UBB (Rector)
- Research for and signing of a partnership
- Incorporation – (formal request to open UBB to the Ministry of Higher Education and registration with the Commercial Registry of Côte d'Ivoire, …)
- Remodeling and refurbishing of the future UBB site
- Recruiting of personnel (administrative, professors, general staff)
- Recruiting of students
- Opening of classes
Conclusion
If there is an area where the church must reassert itself in Côte d'Ivoire it is in the area of education. Our faith in this project is a key factor in its success. The AEBECI is more convinced than ever of its role in the development of this country. The education sector is one of the critical means by which the church may influence the comportment of mankind.
It is in this way that the AEBECI would like to perpetuate and improve on the action of WorldVenture workers in Côte d'Ivoire in this sphere of education and in the instruction of all peoples.
In this way, the realization of this project, in collaboration with WorldVenture and in partnership with American universities, will be a significant contribution in this phase of reconstruction in Côte d'Ivoire as well as a strong signal from these organizations and a manifestation of their solidarity in the current crisis in Côte d'Ivoire.
There are annexes to this document which are in process.
Please address all English language inquiries to Rod Ragsdale at rags@worldventure.net .
Please address all French language inquiries to Soro Soungalo at cefca@aviso.ci .
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