Joe Dinga Pefok (Uncle Joe)
The Study Tour, For Students Enrolled In The Institution’s International Master’s Programme In Peace Studies And Humanitarian Action, Is Part Of The Institution’s Commitment To Experiential Leaning, To Complement Classroom Instruction With Practical Field Experience , In One Of Cameroon’s Most Important Humanitarian And Peace Building Contexts.
Students enrolled in the International Master’s Programme In Peace Studies and Humanitarian Action at the Heritage University Institute, or better still, the Heritage Higher (University) Institute of Peace and Development Studies in Cameroon (Yaounde and Wum), left the nation’s capital, Yaounde, on July 24, 2026, on a weeklong sustainable education tour to the Far North Region of the country. The students were accompanied by some staff of the institute.
According to a press release issued by the Heritage University Institute, the objective of the sustainable education study tour currently going on in the Far North Region ,falls in line with the institute’s policy of complementing classroom instruction with practical field experience.
Conflict Killed, Many And Displaced Thousands Of Persons, In The Far North Region
It should be noted that it was definitely not for nothing, that the management of Heritage University Institute chose the Far North Region for the study tour. For several years beginning from 2014, the Far North Region was a battle ground between the dreaded terrorist group, Boko Haram, from neighbouring Nigeria, and the Cameroon military that fought to push bad boys out of the country’s territory.
The war triggered one of the biggest humanitarian crises in the Central Africa Sub –region in recent memory, as many people were killed, thousands of people displaced, and a lot of property destroyed, as the terrorist group (Boko Haram) did all sorts of horrible things apparently as their strategy to spit terror, and cause panic in the Far North Region.
The Far North Region today is struggling to recover from the huge effects or consequences of the conflict, while there are still some sporadic attacks by the terrorist group, Boko Haram, from their based in neighbouring Nigeria. But thank God, the sporadic attacks are always pushed back by the Cameroon military, with the collaboration of vigilante groups constituted of local volunteers, supported by the Government.
Large Number Of Refugees From Neighbouring Nigeria
It should as well be noted that besides the huge number of Internally Displaced Persons, IDPS, in the Far North Region, there is also a large camp of refugees in the Region, located at Minawao, which is being managed by the United Nations, with the collaboration of the Cameroon Government. The refugees who are predominantly Nigerians, fled from the atrocities of the dreaded terrorist group, Boko Haram, in their villages or localities across the border, and crossed into Cameroon, precisely the Far North Region of the country, to seek refuge.
Meanwhile, according to the press release that was issued by the Heritage University Institute on July 24, 2026, the students enrolled in the institution’s International Masters’ Programme in Peace Studies and Humanitarian Action, who are currently on study tour in the Far North Region, will among other places visit the Minawao Refugee Camp. While in the camp, the students will “interact with refugees and humanitarian actors to gain a deeper understanding of refugee protection, humanitarian assistance, education, livelihoods, health services, and community resilience”.
Leadership of Heritage University Institute On The Objective Of The Study Tour
“The study tour seeks to bridge the gap between theory and practice, by providing students with first –hand exposure to the realities of humanitarian crisis and peace building interventions. It is expected to strengthen students’ professional competence in conflict analysis, humanitarian programme research, leadership, and community engagement, while nurturing empathy , ethical responsibility, and evidence –based policymaking”, the leadership of Heritage University Institute was quoted as saying, in the press release that the Institute issued on July 24, 2026.
Founding President Of The Institution On The Significance Of The Study Tour
On the significance of the ongoing study tour in the Far North Region, the Founding President of Heritage Higher (University) Institute of Peace and Development Studies, Professor Willibroad Nze – Ngwa, who is as well a renowned Peace Crusader and an Expert in Conflict Resolution and Peace Building, said: “Peace education must extend beyond the classroom. Our students must engage directly with communities affected by conflict and displacement, if they are to become compassionate, competent, and effective peace builders”.
BELOW IN ITS ENTIRETY, IS THE PRESS RELEASE THAT WAS ISSUED BY THE HERITAGE UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE ON JULY 24, 2026:
PRESS RELEASE
Heritage University Institute Launches Sustainable Education Study Tour to the Far North Region of Cameroon
The Heritage Higher (University) Institute of Peace and Development Studies (Heritage University Institute) today 24th 2026, launched a one-week Sustainable Education Study Tour to the Far North Region of Cameroon, for students enrolled in its International Master’s Programme in Peace Studies and Humanitarian Action.
The study tour forms part of the Institute’s commitment to experiential learning, enabling students to complement classroom instruction with practical field experience in one of Cameroon’s most important humanitarian and peacebuilding contexts.
Throughout the week, the students will visit the Minawao Refugee Camp, where they will interact with refugees and humanitarian actors to gain a deeper understanding of refugee protection, humanitarian assistance, education, livelihoods, health services, and community resilience.
They will also visit Zamai, where they will engage with internally displaced persons (IDPs), ex- Boko Haram hostages and the host population, to better appreciate the human impact of conflict, violent extremism, displacement, and recovery efforts.
As part of the programme, the delegation will undertake an academic visit to the University of Maroua to exchange ideas with faculty on peacebuilding, conflict transformation, humanitarian action, research, and sustainable development. The visit aims to strengthen existing academic collaboration between the two institutions and explore opportunities for joint research, student exchanges, and strengthen institutional partnerships.
The students will further meet with humanitarian and development organizations operating in the Far North Region, to learn from practitioners working on emergency response, protection, peacebuilding, livelihoods, psychosocial support, gender programming, and community resilience. These engagements will expose participants to best practices in humanitarian action, while fostering stronger collaboration between academia and development partners.
According to the leadership of Heritage University Institute, the study tour seeks to bridge the gap between theory and practice by providing students with first-hand exposure to the realities of humanitarian crises and peacebuilding interventions. It is expected to strengthen students’ professional competencies in conflict analysis, humanitarian programming, research, leadership, and community engagement while nurturing empathy, ethical responsibility, and evidence-based policymaking.
The Institute also believes that the visit will have meaningful benefits for the host communities. Refugees and internally displaced persons will have an opportunity to share their experiences with future peacebuilders, while humanitarian organizations and academic institutions will strengthen their collaboration with Heritage University Institute through research, internships, capacity-building initiatives, and knowledge exchange.
Speaking on the significance of the mission, Professor Willibroad Dze-Ngwa, Founding President of Heritage Higher (University) Institute of Peace and Development Studies, stated:”Peace education must extend beyond the classroom. Our students must engage directly with communities affected by conflict and displacement if they are to become compassionate, competent, and effective peacebuilders.
This study tour reflects our conviction that sustainable peace is built through learning, dialogue, partnership, and service to humanity.”
The Sustainable Education Study Tour reaffirms Heritage University Institute’s vision of producing globally competent graduates who combine academic excellence with practical experience to promote peace, humanitarian action, and sustainable development in Cameroon, across Africa, and throughout the world.
For further information:
Contact: Heritage Higher (University) Institute of Peace and Development Studies
Yaoundé & Wum, Cameroon
Institute of Peace Studies and Humanitarian Action (IPSHA)
BP8390
679077778 (WhatsApp)
