Shukrani International College of Business Management and Administration is located in Mbeya where there are also a Salvation Army Corps, and a variety of other programs.
Mbeya is a city of over 250,000 and is the administrative centre of the Mbeya region.
The college offers a variety of courses at tertiary level in business, teaching, and hospitality and is accredited to award diplomas by the National Council for Technical Education.
With 90% of graduates finding employment within six months of completing the courses the college is a doorway of hope for many young Tanzanians. For each graduate who finds employment it is estimated that at least ten people are helped – parents are supported and siblings helped with education.
Among the graduates are some disabled individuals. Places are reserved in Shukrani courses so that the door might be opened for those who suffer the additional barrier of living with a disability. When a disabled person graduates and finds stable employment it must be a cause for great excitement and celebration.
Education comes at a cost. The Salvation Army runs Shukrani as a not-for-profit college, but expects the college to be self-funding. Fees are low, and sponsorship is sought for disabled or poor students. Shukrani is a college for all, but it is a continual challenge to finance the day-to-day operations of the college. There are more applicants than there are places for students, but there are no funds for expansion. Even replacement of major assets and upgrading of facilities is a major obstacle for the college.
Success in such an environment is in students who graduate and go on to support their families, and to make a contribution to life and community in Mbeya and beyond.
