Adventist University of Africa (AUA) installed Dr. Harrington Akombwa as its new chancellor at a celebration attended by church officials and university staff. Dr. Akombwa also serves as the president of the Southern Africa-Indian Ocean Division (SID) of Seventh-day Adventists.
The installation service was led out by Elder Geoffrey Mbwana, general vice president of the General Conference and chair of the AUA Council, assisted by Dr. Vincent Injety, AUA vice-chancellor. The keynote address was presented by Dr. Maurice Valentine, another GC general vice president and chair of the University Board of Trustees. Dr. Blasious Ruguri, president of the East-Central Africa Division, also gave his remarks as the outgoing chancellor.
The event culminated with special celebratory speeches from Dr. Lisa Beardsley-Hardy, GC Education director, and Dr. Robert Osei-Bonsu, president of the West-Central Africa Division.
In his remarks, Dr. Akombwa challenged the university family to unite and rise to the call of preaching the Gospel to the whole world. He was confident that the Lord who had begun a good work will be faithful to complete it and fulfill the prophecy in Psalm 68:31: “Princes shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God” (KJV).
Dr. Valentine challenged the audience to lift up Jesus in every opportunity and called forth leaders to stand for truth in every circumstance.
Other guests present at the ceremony included the Education directors of the African divisions, Prof. Tayo Ademola, vice chancellor of Babcock University (Nigeria), and departmental directors from the East-Central Africa Division, among others.
Dr. Akombwa holds a Doctor of Ministry degree from Andrews University (2008). He has served as a literature evangelist, district pastor, union publishing director, field president, union executive secretary, union conference president, and vice president for SID.
Throughout the years, Dr. Akombwa has been humbly dedicated to the work of the church and evangelism. He is married to Monde, and they are blessed with five adult sons and seven grandchildren.
AUA is a General Conference institution that offers Adventist graduate-level education in theology, business, public health, applied computer science, and other fields. The university seeks to deliver outstanding postgraduate education from a biblical foundation to prepare competent leaders to serve the church and society in a Christlike manner.
The original version of this story was posted on the Adventist Echo website.