Women's University in Africa Biography

Background

Women's University in Africa (WUA) is a private university in Zimbabwe. It was officially established in 2002, but the idea started in 2001. The university was created to give more women access to higher education, especially in fields where they were underrepresented. It was co-founded by Hope Cynthia Sadza and Fay King Chung. The university opened its doors after getting a charter from the Government of Zimbabwe in 2004.

Location and Campuses

The main campus is located in Manresa, Harare. It also has other campuses in cities like Bulawayo, Marondera, Mutare, and Kadoma. The university also offers distance learning, with some students studying from countries like Zambia and Malawi.

Mission and Focus

The university focuses on providing gender-sensitive education. Its goal is to reduce the education gap between men and women. While both men and women can study at the university, it aims to have at least 80% of its students be women. This supports Zimbabwe’s and the Southern African region’s goals for gender equality in education.

Leadership

WUA has had different leaders since it started. Hope Cynthia Sadza served as the founding Vice Chancellor. Later, Prof. Sunungurai Chingarande took over the role. The Chancellor of the university is Inonge Mbikusita Lewanika.

Academic Programmes

The university has three main faculties:

• Agricultural, Environmental and Health Sciences
• Management and Entrepreneurial Sciences
• Social and Gender Transformative Sciences

It offers both undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. These include degrees in agriculture, gender studies, psychology, social work, business, and communication. The university also has a research and postgraduate centre.

Students and Admission

WUA has a student population of over 5,000, with most students being female. Admissions usually happen twice a year, and students need to have at least five O-Level subjects including English. Some programmes also require A-Level passes or relevant experience.

Ranking and Reputation

According to EduRank, the university is ranked among the top 10 universities in Zimbabwe. It is known for its work in areas such as social sciences, agriculture, and gender research.

Related Figures

• Hope Sadza – Co-founder and first Vice Chancellor
• Fay Chung – Co-founder and educationist
• Inonge Mbikusita Lewanika – Chancellor
• Elizabeth Gwaunza – Zimbabwean judge and notable alumna

Rankings

See where Women's University in Africa ranks on the top 20 list of best Universities in Zimbabwe in 2025.

We are working towards providing the most accurate rankings. Contact IBZIM support for more info: +263717238876 (whatsapp)