2026 Graduation and Installation Ceremony at AJU
By Wisdom Ukelo, SJ
On Friday, 29 May 2026, Arrupe Jesuit University (AJU) celebrated its Graduation Ceremony under the theme, “Forming Ethical Leaders for a Transformative World: Knowledge, Values, and Service,” together with the Installation Ceremony of the new Vice Chancellor, Fr. Dr. Joseph Oduor Afulo, SJ.
The day began with a Thanksgiving Mass at the Arrupe Chapel. The principal celebrant was Fr. Janusz Urbańczyk, Apostolic Nuncio to Zimbabwe, while the homily was delivered by Fr. Leonard Chiti, SJ, Provincial of Southern Africa Province. The Mass was concelebrated by Jesuit priests serving at Arrupe Jesuit University and formators of other religious congregation studying at AJU.
Following the Mass, the congregation and graduands proceeded to the AJU Multipurpose Hall for the ceremonies. The program commenced with the installation of Fr. Dr. Joseph Oduor Afulo, SJ as Vice Chancellor of Arrupe Jesuit University. The installation was conducted by Fr. Leonard Chiti, SJ, acting on behalf of the University Chancellor, Fr. José Minaku.
After the installation, the graduation ceremony officially began. Students graduated from various schools and departments, including the School of Philosophy and Humanities, School of Education and Leadership, School of Engineering and ICT, and School of Management and Development.
The Guest of Honour was Sunungurai D. Chingarande, Vice Chancellor of the Women’s University in Africa. In her address, she congratulated the graduates and encouraged them to place their knowledge at the service of society while remaining grounded in strong ethical values.
Among the graduates were several of our AOR companions from the School of Philosophy and Humanities, who successfully completed the Postgraduate Diploma in Philosophy, Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, and Master of Arts in Philosophy programmes. We thank God for His abundant blessings upon them and upon our community.
With the conclusion of the graduation ceremony, the 2025/2026 academic year officially came to an end. Arrupe Jesuit University is expected to commence the 2026/2027 academic year in August 2026.
Meanwhile, the companions of the Arrupe Jesuit University community are currently on holiday. First-year scholastics are undertaking language immersion programs in different African countries, second-year scholastics are on home visits, and third-year BA scholastics are engaged in teaching experiments.
May the Lord continue to guide and protect us wherever we may be, and may He bless the finalist graduates as they move into the next stage of their formation, including regency and further studies.
