A sure indication that an academic institution is growing can be seen in the accreditation of its programs by the government of the country in which the institution is located. Hekima University College has finally gotten its Masters in Theology program accredited by the Commission for University Education. According to the Principal Rev. Dr. Marcel Uwineza, SJ, this significant milestone affirms the institution’s commitment to offering a world-class theological education rooted in academic excellence, spiritual depth, and the rigorous intellectual tradition of Jesuit education.
“The Master of Theology is designed for scholars, clergy, and laypersons seeking to deepen their understanding of theological traditions, engage in critical reflection, and contribute meaningfully to the Church and society,” Dr. Uwineza explained in a circular shared with students, stakeholders, and collaborators of Hekima.
He added that rooted in the Jesuit tradition of intellectual rigor, ethical formation, and social justice, this program will provide the following: a holistic theological education, integrating faith and reason to address contemporary challenges; a dynamic learning environment fostering dialogue between theology, philosophy, and the social sciences; an ethos of service and leadership, equipping graduates to be thought leaders and change agents in their communities; and a global network of scholars, offering opportunities for research, mentorship, and collaboration.
HUC Registrar Rev. Dr. George Macharia, SJ, while pondering what the accreditation of the MTh Program means to Hekima, what the Journey has been like, and what the New Program will be like, shared that accreditation is a keyword in any academic institution. He emphasized that education belongs to the state. So, the government is interested in the quality of the education provided and the conditions under which the program is offered. According to him, this accreditation means that the Kenyan government is satisfied that Hekima University College has the infrastructure and the human resources required to run this program.
“By this accreditation, the government has taken a risk in one way or another to say that this program can be accepted worldwide. Remember, the certificates that will be issued upon the completion of the program can only be recognized worldwide when the government stamps its signature, meaning it accredited the program,” Dr. Macharia explained, adding that the government has committed itself to say that this program now can be recognized in the whole world.
He pointed out that offering a program without accreditation is a breach of law within the legal parameters of the country’s education system and can lead to prosecution or, worse, the shutting down of an institution. Secondly, a certificate issued from a program that is not accredited is useless and cannot be recognized anywhere.
Dr. Macharia disclosed that it has been a long journey that started before he assumed office. “I have been the registrar now for slightly more than a year. And when I was appointed to the office, this was still pending. We submitted this program about two years ago, but it was rejected. This was partly because the CUE felt some inconsistencies in the program.”
The college administration had to return to the drawing board and make many revisions according to the CUE’s recommendations. For instance, regarding infrastructure, they wanted to ensure we have a lift at the JST Campus so that people with disabilities can easily access all the facilities. The CUE also recommended that the library and the computer lab be upgraded.
“Once a program is submitted to the CUE, it is peer-reviewed by experts in that area. For instance, our case was theology, which anonymous experts reviewed. So, those experts send a report to the Commission of University Education to approve the program or recommend more corrections,” Dr. Macharia explained, adding that the experts can recommend a program to go on without correction, but that is quite rare. In most cases, there are always some corrections.
He explained that this second submission was a blessing in disguise because the initially submitted program only featured one area: systematic theology. “During this second submission, HUC presented a program for a Master of Theology with Specializations. This means we will offer masters in moral theology, pastoral, scriptures or biblical studies, and ethics! This second submission gives us an extensive platform to provide more courses,” Dr. Macharia explained, adding that this is important because HUC has only two programs: Bachelor of Theology and Master in Peace Studies and International Relations. It is, therefore, imperative that the institution expand its curriculum.
Dr. Macharia further observed that it is essential for Hekima to provide both STL and MTH because the institution already has FTJAM, the Faculty of Theology in Africa and Madagascar, erected by the Holy See, which gives her the mandate to offer courses in STL and STD. An STD is equivalent to a doctorate or a PhD. The problem has been that STL is an ecclesiastical degree that, in most cases, is not recognized by many states. For instance, ecclesiastical degrees are not recognized by Kenya’s Commission of University Education.
“We were worried that a student who has studied at HUC, under the FTJAM, and has an STL, which is more comprehensive and detailed than a civil degree, will not be able to present that certificate to the University of Nairobi’s Religious Studies Department for employment, for instance. But now, with MTH, we can offer both ecclesiastical degrees, which the church requires, especially for those intending to teach in Catholic Seminaries, and civil degrees, which are acceptable in any secular institution.”
According to Dr. Macharia, now that the MTH is approved and ready to be implemented, Hekima University College can apply for a PhD in theology. He further explained that this would be a significant milestone, not just for the students but also for the faculty members because one of the requirements for lecturers to be promoted to a senior level -senior lecturer, associate professor, and professor is that they supervise a PhD candidate. Therefore, the staff at Hekima will have that advantage once the college rolls out a PhD program.
Having a PhD program in the future will also give Hekima an excellent competitive platform.
“I’m in charge of the collaboration committees and deal with many universities, and the question they often ask is, which programs do you have? And for me, it was always very difficult to say, yes, we have a bachelor. Other institutions are talking about hundreds of PhD students and would want our PhD students to collaborate with their PhD students, but we are not yet there.”
Hekima also has several scholarships for the PhD level, and the institution is compelled to send them to CUEA or Tangaza. “We end up losing this money because we pay school fees for these students. What if now that we have a master’s, let alone a PhD, this money will stay in the institution and help us increase our capital base?”
With the official accreditation, Hekima University College warmly invites prospective students to apply for the August 2025 intake. “Whether you are discerning a deeper call to theological study or seeking to enhance your ministry and scholarship, this program will empower you with the knowledge, skills, and spiritual depth needed to make a lasting impact.”
The institution extends profound gratitude to all those who contributed to this achievement—the faculty, administrators, students, supporters, and benefactors who worked tirelessly to ensure the program met the highest academic standards.
Hekima University College, therefore, invites interested individuals to apply.
For More information about the program, contact the HUC Registrar Rev. Dr. George Macharia, SJ, at: registrar@hekima.ac.ke.
By Pamela Adinda, HUC Communications Coordinator