Samford University has initiated an early-stage partnership with East African Christian College, a new higher education institution based in Kigali, Rwanda.

The two universities are exploring opportunities to cooperate and collaborate in a variety of ways, including student exchanges, faculty exchanges, joint academic activities, collaborative research, and exchanges of educational materials of common interest.

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed in early December by Samford President Beck A. Taylor and the founding chairman of the board for East African Christian College, Rev. Dr. Laurent Mbanda. 

Samford has made global influence a priority in its next comprehensive strategic plan, “Fidelitas: Faith and Future.” The plan was announced and unanimously adopted by the Samford Board of Trustees in December.

Mbanda serves as archbishop of the Province of the Anglican Church of Rwanda and is a prominent leader in East Africa. He previously served as the vice president of the African region for Compassion International before being called to serve as bishop of the Shyira Diocese in northern Rwanda.

Mbanda also delivered the commencement sermon for the winter Commencement and Service of Consecration at Beeson Divinity School on Dec. 9. The title of his address was “Go and Be Fruitful.”

“Being in Christ and him being in you is the key to bearing fruit,” Mbanda said. “May you go out to be instrumental in saving the lost and training disciples. Our lives will be healthy, our ministry successful only if we remain in him. Let us go and bear fruit!”

Samford representatives will visit East African Christian College this year to explore future opportunities between the two institutions.