Mweka

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Mweka is a village on the southern slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, about thirteen kilometres north of the city of Moshi.

Mweka is known principally for being the location of the College of African Wildlife Management (CAWM), commonly known as 'Mweka College' or just 'Mweka.'

The college was founded with stringent academic discipline, its qualifications being justly renowned both within Tanzania and internationally. Good staff and facilities, both academic and sporting, guaranteed a high standard of education and therefore of graduate too.

The college serves two main purposes:

1) To prepare local students for work within the national parks and reserves of Tanzania.

2) To prepare students for work within the safari industries (photographic & hunting) within Tanzania.

Both of these objectives were achieved to a good standard until recent years. However, latterly, the college's academic reputation has become tarnished due to rumours - seemingly well founded - of corruption, and the number of foreign - mainly western - students who have withdrawn themselves from the college. International funding has been withdrawn due to exasperation at incompetent management and inappropriate appointments.

Further, its facilities have been allowed to decay; despite fees being increased, the only infrastructural changes made in recent years have been those paid for by donars. Nevertheless, attendance at CAWM is regarded as a rite of passage for many within Africa who intend a career in wildlife management.

On the bright side, current students have managed to force an improvemnent in the quality of catering at the college... the catering staff now wear bow-ties.