A strategy for meeting challenges of infrastructural development of Adventist University Cosendai Nanga Eboko, Cameroon

Abstract

Cosendai University of Nanga Eboko was granted the recognition of University status by the Cameroonian government in October 14, 1996. However, despite its long period of existence, Adventist University Cosendai of Nanga Eboko is still greatly lacking modern learning facilities and dormitories, both for students and staff members. This study was conducted in order to see how the change process can be handled through review of documents, and data collected by use of questionnaires and personal interviews from both students of that University, including faculty members and lay members Findings show that there are problems that need to be solved first if the infrastructural development of that university was to take place. Among restraining forces to that infrastructural development is mismanagement of funds is not to be neglected, it was found that an amount of one billion and eight hundred million franc cfa was borrowed for the infrastructural development of the University and, but, very less infrastructural development was achieved. The study also revealed the leadership problems as one of the restraining forces because since its creation, five Vice-chancellors have passed through that University and yet its outlook is almost the same The study also revealed the tremendous opportunities to that issue, for instance, the members ‘readiness to contribute to the infrastructural development of A U C if mobilized and if integrity and transparency in funds management become part of the unquestionable values needed in the life of any given institution of good reputation. The study also revealed that the land opportunity of Cosendai University, if taken advantage of, in various productions, can boost the needed infrastructural development. On the same perspective, visionary leadership, based on the actual competitiveness of other private universities, on the base of interviews should find ways of opening extra campuses to enlarge financial entries to achieve the infrastructural development of Cosendai Adventist University of Nanga Eboko. A program of infrastructural development for that University was therefore developed on the basis of a rational taking advantage of both human and natural opportunities and implementation of Christian values such as integrity, transparency, dedication to God and to his work to that issue. For this to succeed, the study recommends the following driving forces: total commitment to God and to His work, it means that currently workers of that university and decision makers for Cosendai Adventist University should both act knowing that they are accountable before God for whatsoever they do for or against this university. This implies that Christ like character is required from anyone of them. When that is achieved in everyone concerned by this University, then all efforts will look towards the well fare of Cosendai Adventist University. Also required from decision makers is the integrity in human and funds management and visionary and stable leadership. When these steps are fully followed, then great infrastructural development for Cosendai Adventist University of Nanga Eboko will be achieved.