The Catholic University of Eastern Africa

Like most other universities, the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA) began modestly. It began as the Catholic Higher Institute of Eastern Africa, a graduate theological institution (CHIEA). Pope John Paul II formally launched CHIEA on August 18, 1985. The Graduate School of Theology began talks with Kenya's Commission for Higher Education in 1986 with the goal of establishing the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA).

The Institute received the "Letter of Interim Authority" in 1989, which was the first step toward becoming a private university. The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences was founded after three years of extensive talks between the Authority of the Graduate School of Theology (CHIEA) and the Commission for Higher Education. On November 3, 1992, the Civil Charter was granted to CHIEA, bringing the talks to a close. This was the first time the university was established as a private institution. The Faculties of Science and Commerce were founded in 2002. The Center for Social Justice and Ethics was founded in 2003.

In honor of one of the university's founding fathers, Maurice Cardinal Michael Otunga, the university maintains the Cardinal Otunga Scholarship Fund. The fund's goal is to help underprivileged, but deserving students continue their education at the university. The Fund Steering Committee and the Scholarship Awards Committee are the two groups that make up the scholarship fund governance system. The Steering Committee plans the annual Cardinal Otunga Memorial Mass, the Lecture, and the Scholarship Fundraiser, while the Awards Committee oversees the distribution of cash to worthy students.

Established: 1986

Location: Nairobi, Kenya