Tangaza University (TU) Vice Chancellor, Rev. Prof. Patrick Mwania visits Shalom Center for Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation (Shalom-SCCRR)
Eastern Africa

Tangaza University (TU) Vice Chancellor, Rev. Prof. Patrick Mwania visits Shalom Center for Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation (Shalom-SCCRR)

By January 28, 2026 February 13th, 2026 No Comments

The recent visit by Tangaza University Vice Chancellor, Professor Patrick Mwania, to Shalom–SCCRR Headquarters reaffirmed the depth and strategic significance of the long-standing, values-driven partnership between the two institutions. The Shalom-SCCRR International Chairman, Rev. Dr. Patrick Devine, and the Shalom–SCCRR team accorded him a warm and gracious reception and briefed him on the organization’s mandate, programmatic priorities, and areas of collaboration with Tangaza University. This partnership is anchored on the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two institutions.  The commitment to education, peace, truth, justice, mercy, reconciliation, and academic excellence is a foundational pillar of this relationship. The Vice Chancellor accentuated the visionary leadership of Rev Dr. Patrick (who is also the Vice Chairman of TU and Chair of Corporate Affairs) in institutionally bridging academic rigor with specialized grassroots conflict transformation-peacebuilding practice that has profoundly strengthened both Tangaza University and, no doubt, Shalom-SCCRR.  He thanked Fr. Patrick Devine Ph.D and Fr. Oliver Noonan Ph.D and a large number of the Shalom team who are qualified with MAs in appropriate academic disciplines, for lecturing at Tangaza University since 2010 on the topic of Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation.

Fr. Oliver Noonan, graduating with his Doctorate of Philosophy in Social Transformation, accompanied by his classmates, during the inaugural graduation at Tangaza University.

We recall the university’s newsletter after the 2024 graduation ceremony, where the VC recognized in particular Rev. Dr. Patrick Devine; “Prof. Mwania applauded Rev. Devine’s long service to the university as a member of the University Governing Council, and currently the Chair of Corporate Affairs. Fr. Devine is the one charged with the responsibility of setting up the Tangaza University Endowment Fund, the Professor noted. He thanked Fr. Devine for his continued commitment to the university”. The team at the Shalom-SCCRR Center were also happy to learn that Fr. Patrick and the Corporate Affairs team had completed the work of developing the endowment fund policy which was approved by the University Council, and that Fr. Patrick has been requested to help structure the implementation of the policy internationally going forward.

The Vice Chancellor being welcomed and sharing perspectives with some of the Shalom-SCCRR Team.

He particularly acknowledged Shalom-SCCRR Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning (MERL) departmental systems as a critical driver of evidence-based research, programming, accountability, and institutional learning. In this regard, he emphasized the central role of continuous, context-driven research in informing effective grassroots peace interventions. Moreover, Professor Mwania commended Shalom–SCCRR for its widespread high-quality tangible impact in empowering communities within conflict-affected and historically marginalized regions of Eastern Africa and beyond. He underscored opportunities for joint research addressing both the underlying causes of conflict and the factors contributing to the persistence of conflict dynamics.

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Prof. Peter Wanyande, Shalom-SCCRR’S Director of Research, and Rev. Prof. Patrick Mwania, Vice Chancellor of Tangaza University, during the presentation of copies of Fr. Patrick Devine’s latest book for the Tangaza University Library: ‘The Ilemi Triangle Environs: Delineating the Causes and Consequences of the Turkana-Dassenach Conflict.’

The Vice Chancellor gave special mention and appreciation for the generosity and commitment of Shalom-SCCRR towards the significant funding and ongoing development of the MA in Peacebuilding Studies—Conflict Transformation and Peacebuilding—in collaboration with Tangaza University.  While it is still a work in progress, the work of Prof. Peter Wanyande (Shalom-SCCRR’s Director of Research) and Fr. Patrick Devine Ph.D in formulating the initial draft of the curriculum for review is highly appreciated by the University, said Rev. Prof. Mwania.  The three academics had further meetings on the process going forward during the vice chancellor’s visit.

Tangaza Vice Chancellor Rev. Prof. Patrick Mwania, Rev. Dr. Oliver Noonan, and Rev. Dr. Patrick Devine with some of the students upon completion of the Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation course.
Rev. Dr. Patrick Devine, being introduced by the Tangaza Vice Chancellor, Prof. Patrick Mwania, as he welcomes the President of the Republic of Kenya, Dr. William Ruto, accompanied by Dr. Muriithi Ndegwa, Dr. Edward Odundo, and Dr. George Muhoho, Chairman of the Council.

He spoke of Fr. Patrick Devine’s distinguished contribution to Tangaza University over three decades.  Since 1996, Fr. Patrick has played a consistent pivotal role in shaping the University’s development, academic growth, institutional stability, and governance trajectory, he said. The Vice Chancellor expressed his hope that the International Chairman would continue his engagement with the University going forward, as his wisdom and ability to generate progress are always enlightening, motivational, and inspirational.  Fr. Patrick and the Shalom-SCCRR professional Team expressed their appreciation for the visit by the Vice Chancellor and all the wonderful work and progress that is evident in Tangaza University since he took over the administration of the University.

By:

John Kennedy Odhiambo, MA, Shalom-SCCRR Project Officer, Samburu Project.

Esther Kibe, MA, Shalom-SCCRR Communications Department

Moses Osiro, MA, Shalom-SCCRR Communications Department

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