Who we are
Our History
Africa Universities Fund, Inc. (AUF) is a 501(c)(3) public charity. It was founded by Chijike K Ndukwu. AUF is an intervention to arrest and reverse the perceived climate of decline in the quality of teaching and learning programs, infrastructure and environment in one of his alma maters.
Chijike is the product of a public university. In 2016 while on a visit to the School of Architecture where he trained, Chijike realized that the same Design studio that contained just 12-15 Architecture students about 1994, had more than 100 Architecture students. It immediately dawned on Chijike that something must be done, not only to expand access to higher enrollment numbers but also, to sustain quality skills-based higher education.
The long-term goal is to effectively harness the overflowing skills, creativity, and employability of millions of youths in Africa for sustainable development.
Africa Universities Fund, Inc was officially incorporated in the State of New York in March 2018.
Vision:
Be the most outstanding channel for directing vast financial and in-kind resources to public universities in Africa to enable the universities to effectively translate Africa's enormous youth human resource into a 21-century workforce.
Mission:
To raise awareness and donor opportunities for the advancement and sustainability of high-skills-based teaching and learning in Africa’s public universities through targeted events and projects.
How is AUF funded:
AUF is funded through:
1. Income from services, sales, and publications;
2. Grants and gifts from foundations, businesses, and individuals;
3. Subventions (possibly) from African governments and agencies;
4. Endowment fund income;
5. Income from fundraising, training and other events.
Our Strategic Goals:
1. To promote the advancement of African public universities through strategic activities around the world;
2. Function as an International Development Office for all member universities in the USA;
3. Raise financial and in-kind support for strategic capital development projects and endowment;
4. Reverse "brain drain" by engaging US-based African professionals;
5. Enhance or inject high-skills-based critical teaching and learning infrastructure in Africa's public universities;
6. Expand and sustain the critical role of public universities for poor students and families;
7. Partner with relevant organizations in Africa, the USA and around the world towards attaining our mission;
8. Secure adequate resource base to support the mission of our organization;
9. Participate in economic activities in Africa and around the world to support our mission;
10. Play an active fiduciary role in the use of donor resources
11. Run a transparent, accountable and zero corruption non-profit organization with measurable impact.
Our Strategy:
AUF'S first Strategic Plan, covering the period of 2019-2023, is out. The Plan will be presented at the Joint OoSG-BoD meeting slated for New York City in December 2018. At the end of this first Strategic Plan, a bottom-up and participatory review process will provide an opportunity to identify any unattained goals, measure the impact and build on achievements. Feedback from the review will guide AUF in the formulation of the 2024- 2028 Strategic Plan.
Our Objectives:
1. To offer a United State-based legal platform for tax-deductible donor support to member universities in Africa;
2. Create awareness, seek and receive grants, scholarship, endowments, and gifts;
3. Create multi-level linkages between member universities and other universities and corporations around the world for joint research, training, and other collaborative initiatives.
4. Register patents on discoveries in member African universities;
5. Organize all-year-round events to mobilize donor support and create value around the world;
6. Raise money from investment activities, branded merchandise, publications, and services, etc;
6. Carry out effective monitoring and evaluation of funded projects to meet donor priorities.
7. Run a transparent, accountable and valuable non-profit with measurable impact.
Zero Corruption Policy
AUF has a zero corruption policy in all her internal and external activities. In relation to any funds raised for operational activities or for the benefit of member universities, this policy is sacrosanct and shall apply to the hilt. Member universities shall sign off on this policy prior to the disbursement of all funds. AUF shall have unrestricted access to appropriating and monitoring of such funds by our monitoring and evaluation teams. AUF is subject to all US Laws governing non-profits.