KAMPALA – St. Augustine International University (SAIU) has submitted its application to regulator the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE), seeking for a carter status.
This followed a lengthy process that also saw a complete review of the structures and systems of the Kampala based University, owned by King Caesar Mulenga, the General Consular for Vietnam in Uganda.
A charter, according to the Universities and other Tertiary Institutions Act is “granted by the President as evidence that the university meets the requirements and standards of academic excellence set by the NCHE.”
While section 103(a) of the same as amended notes that a chartered university means a university that is comparable to a public university.
The University was established in 2010 with an interim latter of authority and was later awarded provisional license to operate as a private university by NCHE.
Their application is preceded by earlier engagement by NCHE calling on Universities and tertiary institutions to apply for the topmost license.
Speaking after submitting the application for the top license, State for Foreign Affairs, Henry Oryem Okello also the university chairman said in order to move towards a more permanent and sustainable structure, the law requires that the university should apply for a grant of a charter and accreditation.
“The submission of this application is a great milestone for St. Augustine International University in our quest to multiply wealth and opportunities for our global society in critical sectors,” Oryem said adding that “We are grateful for the support and assistance we continue to receive form NCHE and government of Uganda,” he added.
He said that in line with achieving the country’s goal of vision 2040, the university is aligned well to fast track development and fostering the transformation of the economy.
Established in 2010, St. Augustine International University was given a provisional license to operate as a private university by the National Council for Higher Education in 2011.
Currently, Uganda has more than 60 universities, NCHE. Whereas eight of these are public universities run by the government, almost 45 of these are private, military and the others in the category of degree awarding institutions.
Of these private universities, only eight have charter status.
Some requirement for granting a charter
Presence of academic, administrative and other supportive services including; an administrative block, lecture halls, seminar rooms, special purpose rooms, library, laboratories, workshops, staff housing, and other facilities as per council’s checklist of capacity indicators.
Having the operation procedures, bylaws, and regulations approved by the governing council of the institution as having a course programmes, curricular, student assessment procedures, examination regulations for initial and future programmes approved by the institutions’ organs and ratified by the NCHE.
All new programmes have to be accredited by the NCHE.
