Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Academy define a leader?
A leader is an agent for positive change. A leader uses his or her networks, skills, and talents to improve the status quo for the broader community. Leaders exist in all professions and catalyze sweeping, positive change.
What is the legal structure of the Academy?
African Leadership Academy is a non-profit Section 21 entity incorporated in South Africa. It has an affiliated fundraising arm, the African Leadership Foundation, incorporated as a non-profit entity in the United States. All contributions made to the Academy by individuals or corporations in South Africa or the United States will be tax-deductible.
Why is the Academy located in South Africa? Why is it located in Gauteng Province?
South Africa is an ideal location for the Academy because of its economic and political stability, world-class infrastructure, and ease of transport to and from the other nations in Africa. Gauteng province, home to Johannesburg and Pretoria, is the cosmopolitan hub of South Africa. It is fast becoming a “gathering place” for well-educated Africans from all over the continent. This makes Gauteng an ideal location for finding mentors and guest speakers for our students. Gauteng is also the commercial hub of South Africa, offering close proximity to many South African corporations and individuals interested in funding the Academy.
What makes the Academy unique?
African Leadership Academy is the only school in Africa that will actively recruit students from all nations on the continent. It is also the only school in Africa with such an explicit emphasis on developing leaders and entrepreneurs. The Academy offers unsurpassed expertise in university and career placement, and it will uniquely admit highly talented students without regard to their economic status.
Who will be the Academy faculty?
The Academy faculty will include outstanding teachers from around the world. Approximately 80% of the teaching staff will come from across Africa, reflecting the pan-African composition of the student body. The remainder of the faculty will include teachers from other continents, some of whom will be teaching on exchange from the world’s top secondary schools. The Academy has already established strong links with some of the most prestigious schools in the USA and England.
Who will develop the Academy’s unique curriculum?
The Academy’s core academic curriculum will be certified by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO). Additional modules in African Studies, Leadership, and Entrepreneurship will be developed by curriculum experts under the guidance of Academy founders and faculty members.
How will the Academy ensure that its graduates will stay in Africa in the long-term?
During its intense 2-year program, the Academy will instill in its students a deep sense of commitment to the African continent. The Academy’s mentorship program and alumni network will offer frequent exposure to the fantastic opportunities that exist for talented individuals in Africa. Through its alumni program, the Academy will maintain contact with its graduates who decide to attend overseas universities and will proactively facilitate the return of such graduates to Africa through its career placement office. Finally, all Academy scholarships are given as “forgivable loans.” Those students who find long-term employment in Africa within five years of their university graduation will have no financial obligations to the Academy. Those who remain overseas will have a significant financial obligation to the Academy. This should provide a strong financial incentive for students to return to the continent if they do study in universities overseas.
Is African Leadership Academy simply another opportunity for Africa’s elite?
No. African Leadership Academy aspires to educate talented students from all walks of life. A diverse student body will be accepted to the Academy without regard to the students’ race, gender, citizenship, religious affiliation, class, or family wealth. The Academy seeks in particular those talented students who might not otherwise have access to an outstanding education, and we anticipate that fully 50% of our students will require financial assistance. The primary objective of the Academy’s fund-raising initiatives is to ensure that the Academy does not become another opportunity for Africa’s elite.
At which universities does the Academy intend to place its students?
African Leadership Academy seeks to place each student at a world-class university that strongly matches his or her interests and goals. These universities may be in Africa or outside the continent, but they must provide our graduates with resources – faculty, libraries, laboratories, and technology offerings – that will prepare them to lead in an increasingly competitive global arena. We expect some students to attend universities outside Africa, and we will embrace these decisions. Global exposure and cross-cultural awareness is fundamental to leadership in the twenty-first century.
Who has funded the Academy thus far?
In its launch phase the Academy was funded by a diverse group of angel investors from South Africa, Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, Senegal, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States. This investor base has recently expanded with the launch of African Leadership Academy’s “buy a brick” campaign.
How will the Academy ensure long-term financial sustainability?
When fully operational, African Leadership Academy will cover all operating expenses with revenue from tuition fees paid by parents and sponsors and financial aid tuition fees paid from our endowed scholarship fund. Additional revenue will be earned from holiday operations on the Academy campus, including summer camps and conferences that make use of school facilities. The Academy’s staff has a proven track record in summer camp operations; armed with this market knowledge, we expect to utilize the Academy’s facilities throughout the year.
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