Preparations for Diaconia Bachelor Course

In the future, the diaconia master's program IMADM* will be complemented by a bachelor's program "Diaconia", which will teach competences of social work and theology together.

The program will be offered at different universities in Indonesia, Tanzania, Rwanda and Germany. A change between the locations is therefore possible every semester, for students and teachers. Graduates of this program are trained for practical work in the diaconal sector.

Of the universities involved, TUDARCo* in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, was the fastest to complete preparations. The program has been accredited by the government of Tanzania, the lecturers have been hired, and teaching will begin in early 2024. In the meantime, the lecturers are exchanging ideas with teachers from Germany who are also involved, giving their first courses at TUDARCo and supporting the establishment of another university, Koteti, also in Tanzania.

A delegation of the International Diaconia Team of the UEM visited Dar Es Salaam in November, got to know the lecturers and discussed the start of this unique project with them. Of the six teachers, three are graduates and one is a current student of the International Master's Degree in Diaconia Management (IMADM) of the UEM.

We are looking forward to the start of this very special educational program, which will help to connect the three regions of the UEM even more intensively through education in the diaconal field.

*IMADM = International Master of Arts in Diaconic Management

*TUDARCo = Tumaini University Dar es Salaam College