Martin Luther King, Jr. (January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968) once said “Little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls and walk together as sisters and brothers”. He had a dream for the future of America and believed in a new future for African-Americans. I, too, have a dream where the people of Africa become a channel of blessings to those suffering; a dream where Africans stand as global leaders.
Many people view Africa as a land of corruption, sickness, famine, and ignorance. But I envision a world full of joy achieved in Tanzania by the hands of Africans. I have seen the endless natural resources that God has given and the limitless potential of the African people. As we look at the course of history, we can be certain that a time is quickly approaching where Africa will take the role of leadership.
To achieve this dream, Africans must take a hold of their identity in order to build a self-reliant Africa, and be equipped with abilities which can move the world. Africans must attempt to progress from being the merely a receiver to a provider. I am building the United African University of Tanzania (UAUT) to awaken the young leaders of Tanzania; to transform them into channels of blessings that are responsible for creating a great Africa.
In the beginning of the 20th century, my country of birth, South Korea, was colonized by Japan and under its rule for 36 years. Korean men were taken as soldiers to fight in Japanese wars, and Korean women were taken to Japanese military camps and forced to become sex slaves for the soldiers. Korea gained independence from Japan in 1945, but in merely five years, the Korean War erupted, demolishing everything in Korea.
Korea was considered one of the poorest countries in the world until the 1960s. But today, after 50 years, Korea has become one of the wealthiest countries in the world and is a leader of the G20. Through priceless experience that the Koreans gained, we would like to help fulfill this African dream through the United African University of Tanzania. In order to maximize potentials, UAUT will support the development of both individuals and nations by providing education on the latest technology related to IT and environmentally-friendly resource development such as solar and wind power.
UAUT will constantly seek opportunities to enroll our students in foreign exchange programs, which allow them to study abroad in universities of developed nations. Furthermore, we will assist our graduate students in obtaining industrial trainee positions abroad after graduation. In particular, UAUT’s Techno Valley is projected to attract foreign capitals and well-known companies, while supporting IT entrepreneurship (venture companies) to create jobs and help the nation’s growth. UAUT will put forth effort to sign MOU with other universities and provide the in-service training system of foreign companies in order to prepare Tanzania for a more efficient industrial era. To the African youth who wish to make a greater Africa! Share your dream in the UAUT.
Rev. Joshua J.S. LEE
Founder