The Installation

Sorry friends for the long gap in writing. It is not because of lack of things to share but because of lack of time to do so. The last weeks have filled with teaching, grading, visitors, seminars, conferences and worship services. I will do my best to capture some of this for you in future writing. Today I want to focus on a first for PIASS – the installation of a chancellor.

New Chancellor in his chair

On March 7, 2014 Rev Dr André Karamaga was installed as PIASS’ first chancellor. This was in order to comply with the Rwandan government Law N° 27/2013 of 24/05/2013 that required all institutions of higher learning to have chancellors and vice chancellors. This was part of an educational reorganizational structure by the government. So our rector became the vice chancellor and the Protestant Institute of Arts and Social Sciences (PIASS) installed its first chancellor. The role is largely ceremonial, presiding at graduation ceremonies and the like. The installation sent the tone for just such occasions, with all the pomp and ceremony one could wish for.

The new chancellor is well-known in Africa. Presently, Rev Dr Karamaga is the General Secretary of All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC). From 2002 to 2008, he worked as Executive Secretary (African Desk) in the World Council of Churches in Geneva, Switzerland. He served as the president of the Presbyterian Church in Rwanda from 1995 to 2001. He brings ceremony and experience to his position.

The festivities began early in the morning with a first-ever alumni meeting. Alumni of theology go back to the 1970s. The small chapel was overflowing as pastors kept coming. They represented all the protestant denominations in Rwanda and included bishops and denominational presidents as well as “regular” pastors. The present faculty was invited to make an appearance and be introduced but it was evident that there really wasn’t room for “visitors,” so after the introductions, those of us who were not alums we were given the opportunity to escape and we did. But we re-appeared for the luncheon before the installation service.

To begin the installation service, the faculty dressed in full academic regalia and processed in to the main lecture hall, followed by invitees, among them government officials, alumni and the PIASS community. After welcome speeches, we moved to the main event. The new chancellor was introduced and sworn in and then given his chair, an imposing seat that was especially carved for the event. This was followed by more speeches, first from the new chancellor and then the guest of honor, Rev Dr Samuel Kobia, the former General Secretary of the World Council of Churches, and today, the Ecumenical Envoy to South Sudan, who spoke on “Eradicating Poverty.” The festivities ended with photos and a reception on the lawn. It was a gala event and promises to pave the way for more ceremonial celebrations.