INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, PROTOCOL AND FUNDRAISING OFFICE (IRPFO)
About IRPFO
The main function of our Office, IRPFO is to oversee all matters of Internationalization, Protocol and Fundraising for the progressive development of our University and the Nation of God.
The IRPFO leads by providing strategic advice and setting institutional systems to support the University’s engagement, networking and collaboration with various local and international partners, supporters, alumni and friends.
The IRPFO operates under three main units: International relations, Protocol and Fundraising.
Functions
The Ruaha Catholic University Corporate Strategic Plan 2016/17–2025/26 commits itself to becoming a leading point on both Intellectual and cardinal virtues spearheading Tanzania’s and Africa’s quest for sustainable and inclusive development.
The key functions of the IRPFO in supporting the University to achieve its vision and mission while adhering to the laws of the land, therefore, are:
To provide strategic advice to the University on international collaborations and partnerships;
To monitor policy developments in higher education internationally and disseminating the same within RUCU;
To serve as a contact point for the provision of support to international students, staff and visitors;
To act as Central Administrative support and front office for RUCU international collaborations;
To develop relevant policies and strategies for international collaboration and oversee their implementation;
To establish international agreements, funding opportunities, information on student exchanges, participation in visits and profile-raising;
To manage the international schedules of visits of RUCU delegations to institutions in other regions of the world;
To assist the Vice Chancellor to host the visits by delegations from international universities, Institutions, Organizations and Charities together with other public bodies to RUCU;
To work with international alumni and donors, in partnership with the Development and Alumni Relations Office.
To build an international profile for RUCU through visits, media coverage, events and conferences;
To develop and manage international opportunities for students aspiring for further studies;
To notify the Government and any other important offices of any necessary University changes for smooth management;
To link the University to International Universities, Organizations and donors for the progressive development of the Institution;
To assist the Vice Chancellor to establish a Special Basket Fund for the less privileged group from RUCU;
To fundraise through different ways for improving the University learning Infrastructures;
To facilitate cross-cultural relations and communications;
To establish distinguished events and etiquette standards through available faculties
To uplift the University’s brand both internally and externally for the progressive development of the University
To advise staff on international visitors, appropriate events, gifts, etc.
To advise the University on procedural protocols;
To assist and guide the University during the events like graduation;
To advise and assist to get the proper academicians, Diplomats, government Officials as guest of honor of events like convocation, fundraising and graduation; and
To train personnel on the proper procedures when working with guests.
THE PLANNED AND PROJECTS UNDERWAY
The University has a number of projects to be performed. The realization of some of projects is started.
1. The Science Park Project.
The Science Park is planned to cater for pharmaceutical sciences, Medical Laboratory Sciences, Environmental health sciences, Agribusiness program, Nursing and Midwifery. So far, we have spent 2.1 Billion Shillings from which 1.4 Billion was donated by the Conferenza Episcopale Italiana and TZS 700,000,000 from the University Account.
Once the project is completed, the health Centre will serve the prenatal and child, 300 staff with their families, 5500 students as well as more than 4000 people around the university.
As of now we need to raise TZS 275,000,000.00 at least for finishing the Maternity complex (Post and Anti natal ward, Operating Theatre labour room inclusive), Reproductive and Child Health Clinic, Consultation rooms, dressing and injection room. These entire mentioned infrastructures are based in the ground floor of the building under construction.
And once we manage to finish the mentioned herein above infrastructure, we do expect to start rendering health services. And the finishing of the whole structure from the point one can see, we need to have 1,800,000,000/= (US$ 782,609)
2. Furnishing the available Lecture Rooms with fixed Chairs
Our office needs to raise TZS 1,125,000,000/= (US$ 489,130) for the purchase and fixing of chairs in lecture rooms. The chairs can be used for ten years untouched by repair.
3. Church Construction
The University is owned by the Catholic Church. We need to have the church as an Identity for the Catholic Higher Learning Institution. The Construction is started. The project cost is TZS 350,000,000/= (US$ 152,174). The University has already invested TZS 42,000,000/= (US$ 18,261) and more endeavors are being made for the progress of this project. To the honour of our Lord, we do not want to be without a church building. Then, King David said to the whole assembly: "My son Solomon, the one whom God has chosen, is young and inexperienced. The task is great, because this palatial structure is not for man but for the LORD God (1 Chronicles 29:1)
4. The Vice Chancellor’s Special Basket Fund for the less privileged Students
The University accommodates students from different backgrounds. Some manage to pay tuition and other fees on time. Others pay late and we have others who cannot manage completely to pay anything. Therefore, it is the task of IRPFO to establish such a Fund for the stated purpose.
5. Construction of Girls’ Hostel
The University has got only one hostel in the campus. And most of the girls like to stay within the campus but the accommodation facilities is a big challenge. The cost for the hostel is TZS 3,500,000,000/= (US$ 1,521,739).
THE EXTERNAL UNIVERSITIES COLLABORATING WITH RUAHA CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY
In this aspect our University was in a very good move only that the eruption of COVID-19 has been a big hindrance. However one can mention some few Universities like:-
The University of Marburg;
The University of Turin;
The University of Tampere;
The University of Köln;
The University of Palermo;
The Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences; and
The University of Brescia
Our office is trying to cooperate with many more Universities so as to make our Faculties better and more active.
DONATED AND EXPECTED DONORS TO OUR UNIVERSITY PROJECTS
Here we can list some of them as we have been advancing funding requests now and then as follows:-
The Bishops’ Conference of Italy;
The Archdiocese of Köln;
The Church In Need;
The Diocese of Freiburg;
The Diocese of Münster;
The Missionary Sisters of St. Peter Claver;
The Bishops’ Conference of the United States of America; and
The Raskob Foundation.
