Kosyam Jesuit University of Science (KoJUS) proudly inaugurated its new campus on July 30, 2024, in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

This significant event marked the 50th anniversary of the Jesuits' presence in the country and was graced by distinguished guests, including representatives from the General Curia, the Jesuit Conference of Africa and Madagascar (JCAM), Fr. Provincial from the Africa Occidentale Province (AOC), and leaders from Jesuit higher education institutions across Africa and Europe. The inauguration also coincided with the third in-person meeting of the Association of Jesuit Universities and Colleges in Africa and Madagascar (AJCU-AM).

The newly opened campus boasts several state-of-the-art facilities, including a main classroom building, the "Magis Building" for postgraduate programs, laboratories for the Department of Science and Technology, a dormitory, and a refectory. Future development plans for the campus include constructing an educators' residence, a Jesuit community, a multipurpose conference amphitheater, and a chapel.

KoJUS stands as a landmark in Jesuit education, established by the Society of Jesus to address critical socio-economic challenges in the region. The university aims to transform higher education in Burkina Faso by offering specialized training in science and technology, responding directly to the country's pressing youth unemployment crisis. This challenge is exacerbated by a lack of technical and professional education opportunities, which KoJUS seeks to rectify by equipping young people with the necessary skills for meaningful employment and leadership.

The university operates with a dual focus: a secondary school dedicated to science and a university department offering advanced training in engineering, teaching, and entrepreneurship. This innovative educational model ensures that students are not only job-ready but are also grounded in the values of service and leadership central to Jesuit education.

The development of KoJUS has been made possible through an innovative public-private partnership, including the government of Burkina Faso, the World Bank, and the Society of Jesus. This collaboration highlights the broad commitment to the university's mission of fostering a more just and humane world.

As part of the global network of Jesuit universities, KoJUS benefits from the expertise and support of sister institutions worldwide. These collaborations enrich the educational experience at KoJUS, positioning it as a growing center of excellence in West Africa.

Looking ahead, KoJUS is dedicated to expanding its facilities and continuing its efforts to promote gender equity in science education. As it grows, KoJUS is poised to become a beacon of hope, providing the intellectual and moral foundation necessary to drive sustainable development in Burkina Faso and beyond.

Story courtesy of: International Association of Jesuit Universities