ALU is pioneering a fresh approach to higher education in the 21st century; offering accredited undergraduate, postgraduate and executive education programmes in a unique and imaginative way. By integrating students’ learning with the real world, empowering students to take ownership of their own learning, equipping each student to think entrepreneurially, and employing the most engaging and inspiring teaching methods, ALU is pioneering a new take on higher education and leadership development.
ALU develops skills in its graduates to ensure they will remain relevant even as the world changes. It also develops its students intellectually, provides them with work experience, and develops their “whole” being. ALU is opening campuses around Africa that will ultimately train 3 million entrepreneurial, ethical leaders for Africa and the world by 2060. Although based in Africa, ALU welcomes students from all around the world to its campuses. One campus is currently open on the Indian Ocean island of Mauritius (known as the African Leadership College) and a second one is in Rwanda. ALU was founded in 2013 by renowned Ghanaian educationalist Fred Swaniker. Mrs. Graça Machel serves as our Chancellor.
OUR APPROACH
ALU goes above and beyond to provide you with an education like no other. We focus on giving you a holistic experience designed to make you a successful entrepreneur, leader and a better citizen of the world. ALU has identified several fundamental strategies that make our approach to teaching and learning unique, relevant and engaging.
PREPARATION FOR TOMORROW’S WORLD
In an ever-changing world, narrow academic theory quickly loses relevance. Therefore we go beyond just giving you a solid academic grounding. We also develop skills like leadership, critical thinking, problem solving, quantitative reasoning, communication and teamwork—skills that will always be relevant for the jobs of tomorrow.
AN ENGAGING LEARNING EXPERIENCE
We employ the most innovative and effective methods of teaching and learning. For example, we ban lectures. Instead, you drive your own learning in a self-paced way and learn from your peers. When you attend class, you will meet an expert facilitator who engages you in lively debates, discussions, and applications of the knowledge you have learned on your own and with peers. You will ‘learn how to learn’ in an effective and engaging way.
We have developed a Learning Cycle that helps you learn new skills and master concepts. This 4-part Learning Cycle incorporates (i) a ‘discovery’ experience—that ‘aha’ moment when you discover the gaps in your knowledge and skills, (ii) self-paced learning, (iii) peer learning (students teaching and learning from each other) and (iv) facilitated group learning.
DECLARE A MISSION FOR YOUR LIFE
We will challenge you to declare a “mission” for your life, and not just to select an academic “major”. We will expose you to the grand challenges and opportunities of our time, and work with you to define how you want to solve these problems and capture emerging opportunities. In this way, you will discover your life’s purpose and align your learning with this purpose.
EDUCATION MEETS THE REAL WORLD
We break down barriers between universities and the real world. You will solve real problems for real organizations from day one. We design our curriculum with employers. And each year, in our undergraduate programs, you spend 8 months on campus and 4 months in the workplace, ensuring you have one year of work experience by the time you graduate and are ‘ready to hit the ground running’.
DEVELOPING ENTREPRENEURIAL LEADERS
We believe every graduate in the 21st century should be able to think entrepreneurially. Therefore, you learn the habits that make great entrepreneurs—how to solve big problems with limited resources, how to think innovatively, how to form and lead teams, and how to dream big—in whatever field you go into.
PAN-AFRICAN AND GLOBAL NETWORK
At ALU, we believe that creativity is fostered by experience and exposure, and as such we bring together students and staff from all the 54 countries of Africa and around the world to live, study, and play together in a rich, vibrant community where different cultures are respected and celebrated. You form deep bonds with inspiring classmates and graduate with a powerful, global network for life.
A STUDENT DRIVEN EXPERIENCE
We empower you to be the driving force behind your undergraduate experience. You and your peers have the power to design your extra-curricular activities, and are supported to launch your own ventures, engage in local communities, and participate in our total wellness programme, ALUAlive.
