2020, a year of mission and farewell
Season's Greetings!
2020 was a momentous year for African Leadership University.
We celebrated our 5th birthday at the same time as we reached new milestones - record growth in overall student enrollment, the launch of new undergraduate and graduate degrees, new leadership hires, the completion of a new campus in Kigali, Rwanda, and a new strategic partnership with Mastercard Foundation, to name a few. We worked diligently on the foundation for our future.
Like the rest of the globe, we were challenged by the COVID-19 pandemic and had to weather its impact on our community and our operations. But it did not stop us. We responded and adjusted and redefined what normal at ALU means - the work of the university continued on. We challenged ourselves - leave no students, and no one, behind.
As President, I had the privilege to experience and witness what is special about ALU in the personal stories of our students, employees, and their families.
Our community remained focused on its Vision and the moonshot aspiration that brought the university into being and us all together.
We remained driven by Passion, the strength of which was undeterred by the many inconveniences and shocks of the pandemic.
We thrived on Collaboration, creating a tighter circle that supported each other and helped us find new opportunities in a period of constant unpredictability.
Most of all, we found solace in the pursuit of our Missions – those 14 big challenges and opportunities facing Africa that excite us to action, as well as the personal motivations that drive all of us to lives of impact.
Indeed, in 2020, we grew closer to our sense of purpose and entered a new phase of ALU’s evolution. At a time when so much was unclear or disheartening around the world, our family of 1,500 re-affirmed the fundamental virtues of fairness, selflessness, togetherness, and fearlessness. In our just-released 2020 Impact Report, we celebrate some of these stories, as we do our remarkable year of growth.
This year also marked a new phase for me personally. Several weeks ago I informed the university community of my difficult decision to step down from the role of President at the end of 2020. It has been a distinct privilege to lead ALU and as I transition out of my role as President, I cannot be more excited about the future of the university, and I cannot express more endearment for each of the 1,500 individuals with whom so much was experienced.
Last week, some of the faculty and staff surprised me with a tree-planting in my name. The honor was really theirs - they represent the indefatigable fellowship around the world of those who sacrifice much for others, the tireless community of humble changemakers who inspire the leadership of mere office-holders like me. The honor is also our students' - who breathe authenticity, youthful honesty and anticipation into the better future for which we strive.
None of what we accomplished would have been possible without the support of our numerous well-wishers. This is your celebration too. But, at the same time, ALU is a cathedral in progress. 2020 was not the year that we planned, but it surely validated all that has been planted to date.
So, here’s to the coming new year... and to the next 5 years!
Sincerely,
Christopher O.H. Williams