Transformative Education and Faith (TEF)
TEF is founded on an educational philosophy which embraces a search for truth, the development of the whole person, and the synthesis of faith with learning, theory with practice. Consequently, the curriculum focuses on content and processes which deepen the students’ knowledge of theology, scripture and the social sciences that enhance skills for analysis and critical thinking, and provide opportunities for reflection on and integration of Gospel values in light of today’s social, political, moral, pastoral, economic and spiritual realities. While this diploma program is intense, students will have easier access to a Bachelor Degree because some credits may be transferable toward that degree.
Objectives
- To engage students in practical ways of critical thinking and in the acquisition of skills of analysis of issues for transformation and spiritual conversation;
- To awaken in the students a sound biblical perception of the realities in the contemporary world
- To offer new opportunities to students to acquire sound human and theological knowledge guided by Gospel values;
- To help students learn and develop skills of transformative organizational leadership in communities and society.
Activities of AACSS –Uganda
- Coordinating Training programs e.g. Counselor Training Program (CTP) and Transformative Education and Faith (TEF) program
- Organizing Workshops and giving workshops and seminars
- Supervision and follow up of the trainees in the training program (spiritual accompaniment)
- Carrying on Sensitization programs.
Learning outcomes
The beneficiaries of the program are expected to be graduates who:
- Think critically and analyze issues in everyday life toward transformation and spiritual conversion;
- Respond to contemporary realities in light of a sound biblical perception of these realities;
- Appreciate and acknowledge the impact of sound human and theological knowledge;
- Attend to personal faith development in order to effectively implement the New.
Evangelization;
- Have skills towards economic and social development within their personal, community, and national life;
- have disciplines of hard work, planning, conservation, and teamwork
- Exercise skills in transformative organizational leadership in communities and society.
Program Duration
TEF runs for the period described below.
TEF Background
In 2010, the late Sr. Cecilia Nibyobyonka left Kisubi Brothers University College now University of Kisubi (Unik) and embarked on training of Formators Transformative Spiritual Leadership and Faith Development (TSLFD) in Jinja in search of a place that could house the programme, after six months the program was she shifted to St. Augustine Nsambya to allow the participants to complete the formation course meant for Nine (9) months but due to the challenge of space, they had to again move to Namugongo Spiritual Formation Center and that is where the participants completed the 9 months training in TSLEFD.
The Programme of Transformative Education and Faith (TEF) was developed as an extension of a (TSLFD) held in 2011, 2012, and 2013. TEF is an answer to the expressed needs of the participants of TSLED who requested a longer period aimed at an in-depth study of the courses offered during those years. The Programme of Transformative Education and Faith is open to both religious men, women, clergy and lay students. Religious men, women, clergy and laity are expected to develop, through this Programme, practical psycho-social skills and a spirituality that will lead to a faith based life for a just and peaceful world for integral human development.
Uganda Martyrs University was then identified as a potential higher Institution of learning that could take up the TEF training programme, and so UMU had an MoU with ARU for a period of Five (5) years as ARU looked forward to getting their own space for the training of the Consecrated Women in TEF programme.