The Boeing Company coming to Africa University
Africa University is looking forward to welcoming The Boeing Company Executive Vice President of Government Operations, Mr. Timothy Keating, as Guest of Honour and Key note speaker at this year’s graduation ceremony - 9 June 2018
On the 9th of July 2018, Africa University will proudly host its 24th graduation ceremony at its main campus in Mutare where over 650 students are expected to graduate from various disciplines after years of focus, resolve and a common vision of becoming future leaders of Africa.
An important date on our academic calendar, it is also a time for the university to reflect on the many achievements that have been made over the past academic year that include highlights such as the opening of Zimbabwe’s first innovation Hub, AU’s i5 Hub, launching the country’s first bank that is operated exclusively by students, being the first university in Zimbabwe to offer ZIMCHE accredited online programmes, a complete overhaul of the university’s sporting facilities with future plans to construct a world- class sports complex and ground-breaking research in the fields of public health, migration and food security.
Indeed, Africa University has gained a reputation for being a university of “firsts” maintaining its position as a truly innovative, dynamic and progressive institution. It has been a year that has been marked by success and tremendous accomplishments and our graduating class of 2018 is undoubtedly proud and eager to be welcomed into AU’s growing alumni network that to date has over 8000 graduates living and serving in Africa and throughout the world.
Africa University is delighted to be associated with stakeholders from government, the non-governmental sector and various corporations and continues to attract the interest of the titans of industry globally. This year is no different with the Guest of Honour and Key Note Speaker of this year’s graduation ceremony being Mr. Timothy Keating, the Executive Vice President of Government Operations of the Boeing Company, the leading aerospace company in the world.
Joining The Boeing Company in May 2008, Mr. Keating has worked for the trailblazing company for 11 years leading its public policy efforts including all U.S federal, state and local government liaison operations. In addition to this, he also leads the Boeing Global Engagement Organization that focuses on building a sustainable future for generations to come across the globe through innovation, empowerment and education.
To date, the Boeing Company, its employees and retirees have invested $163million in a variety of projects around the world to reinforce NGO and community building efforts. 40% of Boeing’s charitable contributions have gone towards initiatives that are geared towards education and supporting young women in STEM related careers with the rewards already bearing fruit with over 36 million women and girls in various countries being inspired to choose careers in STEM- related disciplines(John Blazey, Vice president of Global Corporate Citizenship- The Boeing Company).
Always thinking of ways to make the aerospace industry cleaner and environmentally sustainable, Boeing is leading the way in creating a green future by redesigning corner stone technologies. Africa University is proud to host and be associated with a visionary company such as Boeing that is looking forward to creating a better future for Africa and her inspiring, talented youth.
Africa University’s engagement with The Boeing Company is yet another milestone for the growing institution that has seen partnerships and strong ties being formed with other big players in local and international industries who believe in Africa University’s mandate of providing Africans with world class education embedded in a Pan – African context that seeks to create for the continent highly skilled, ethical and capable visionaries for the future.
Africa University is a Pan- African United Methodist – related institution situated a few minutes out of Mutare. The university boasts of one of Zimbabwe’s most beautiful campuses and has had over 31 African countries represented in its student body and international staff.
Story By
Jeanette Dadzie