The leopard is the most important animal to the people of the Tali region. It is revered for its strength.

FAQs

Question (Q): What is the legal status of African University Foundation?
Answer (A): African University Foundation is the vehicle to mobilize international financial support and other forms of support essential for the construction of African University.  African University Foundation was incorporated on January 04, 1994 at Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.A. as a (501)(c)(3) non-profit organization.  The United States Internal Revenue Service granted African University Foundation’s tax-exempt status on June 11, 1998.
Q: How will African University be funded?
A: African University will be funded by the voluntary contributions of individuals, corporations, foundations, governments, agencies, associations, and other institutions interested and able to support higher education in Africa.
Q: What is the money I contribute used for?
A: You may restrict your contribution to be used to strengthen the objectives of the following funds: Annual Fund, Capital Fund, Endowment Fund, Farm Fund, General Fund, and Scholarship Fund.  The General Fund is the least restrictive that supports the African University Foundation's operational efforts.
Q: Are my contributions tax-deductible in the U.S.?
A: Yes.
Q: Where is Tali located and what is unique about it?
A: Tali is rural and located in the forested region of the South West Province, Cameroon, a recognized biodiversity "hotspot." Its land is fertile and has a tropical rain forest climate. Although situated in the midst of tropical Africa, the temperature at Tali, because of its topography including four rivers, Bawoh, Ejue-Nfu, Nfi,and Nfu, is mild and pleasant throughout the year. Tali has a boundary with the Banyang-Mbo Wildlife Sanctuary and the Upper Banyang Forest Concession. The inhabitants of Tali are hospitable and farm cash and food crops to earn a living. The people of Tali belong to the Banyang ethnic group whose staple of  "fufu and eru" has emerged as a national dish in Cameroon. It is common for Cameroonians travelling abroad to take along eru for personal use or as a gift. The English Anthropologist, Malcolm Ruel, lived in Tali while he conducted research on the people of Manyu Division in Cameroon . His research findings were published in a seminal book entitled "Leopards and Leaders: Constitutional Politics Among A Cross River People." The former Governor Baiyee Arikai Tanyitiku (retired) of Cameroon 's Eastern Region is from Tali. Governor Enow Abrams of the Adamawa Province and former Governor Enow Tanjong (retired) of the South West and North West Region of Cameroon are from the Tali community area. Other prominent Cameroonians such as the late Honorable Emmanuel Tabi Egbe spent his formative years in Tali and eventually taught at Tali's Government Primary School established in 1922. The preeminent Cameroonian educator and polititician, Dr. A.D. Mengot, taught at the Tali Government Primary School. The late prominent university academic and administrator, Dr. Tanyi Mbuagbaw who authored the book "African Philosophy of Education" among other academic works was from Tali.
Q: What infrastructure and resources exist in Tali?
A: Tali is the most logical site to build African University because of the availability and richness of the land for agriculture as well as its conducive climate and topography.  Farms will be an integral part of African University.   Tali is endowed with rich tropical forest and four rivers, Bawoh, Ejue Nfu, Nfi, and Nfu.  In 2002, the Tali Traditional Council reserved ten square miles of land for the construction of African University.  Other secondary schools situated around Tali include but not limited to Queen of Rosary College, Okoyong; Seat of Wisdom College, Fontem; Government High School, Mamfe; Government Secondary School, Tinto, Government Secondary School, Ebeagwa; Presbyterian Secondary School, Bessong Abang.  African University like these educational institutions will thrive in Tali.  A secondary school in Cameroon is commonly called a college.   Historically, some renowned universities around the world started in villages.   A well-structured and functioning university will not only attract competent students and faculty, but also adequate funding.
Q: What about establishing branches of African University?
A: Establishing regional campuses with some degree of specialization shall be important and one that is within the plan of African University.  These satellite campuses will be established after the main campus in Tali is fully functional.  A critical challenge in the design of African University would be to incorporate and preserve a unified philosophical, structural, and functional core at all its campuses.   For example, all branches must not only promote efficiency, but also be sensitive to local realities and be flexible to changing social conditions.  Also, all campuses of African University must be committed to the values of integrity, creativity, and excellence.  What this means is that African University campuses would simultaneously have regional uniqueness as well as a unifying framework. 
Q: What about the design of African University?
A: African University will be designed to attract tourists or visitors besides academics and students.  Local materials such as the red soil of Tali may be used to mold the bricks to construct African University.  Environmental concerns will be taken into account in the design of African University especially given the rich equatorial rainfarest flora and fauna of the Tali region.
Q: How is African University Foundation governed and administered?
A: A dedicated Board of Trustees and a staff currently manages and governs African University Foundation.  African University Foundation’s Board of Advisors in Cameroon will manage and supervise the effective implementation of African University initiative in Tali, Cameroon. 
Q: What is the source of the idea of African University?
A: The idea of African University came to William Agbor Baiyee during his doctoral program in Higher Education at Indiana University, Bloomington. His inspiration and commitment to the project lie in the expectation that African University will provide an alternative model of higher education in Africa.  He sees the African University initiative as a dynamic mechanism to engage Africans and the international community in the application of resources to develop African talent.   Also, he believes that the African University project offers donors a unique opportunity to be involved in the development of human capital in Africa.

Q: When will African University open its doors?
A: African University plans to launch an Integrated Community Center in December 2011 to serve as a progenitor of its academic programs.  Programs of the community center will be based on a yearlong comprehensive study of the needs of the people of the Tali Community area.  Planning is underway for the College of Agriculture, the flagship program of African University.
  
Q: How can I get involved in the fund raising activities of African University Foundation?
A: Be creative. You may do any of the following to enhance the fund raising activities of African University Foundation: Share the idea of African University with others; and/or make personal requests soliciting funds to establish African University, and/or host a fund raising event.  All checks or money orders should be payable to African University Foundation and mailed to: 3737 N. Meridian Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46208, USA.