KANSANGA —Kampala International University (KIU) has hosted the 9th edition of the Vice Chancellors’ Forum Conference.
Muhammed Mphezamihigo the KIU Vice Chancellor thanked all the VCs and officials from the Minister of Education for gracing the event.
Mr. Mphezamihigo in his speech, said that the conference is a platform where they can come up with resolutions to help better the services given to the students and nation at large as universities no longer compete but rather work towards building graduates that can compete internationally.
The event themed; Higher education in Uganda was graced by Hon. Mary Karooro Okurut who was the guest of honour.
Ms. Korooro Okurur who spoke on behalf Education Minister and Sports Janet kataha Museveni thanked the Vice Chancellors for this platform and promised that all the resolutions from the conference would be put in to consideration.
The next sessions were carried on by Dr. A.B Kasozi, a research fellow from Makerere Institute of Social Research who in his presentation advised that A’levels should be scrapped as they waste students at a crucial time of education.
Dr. Kasozi went on to advise that inorder to improve the quality of graduates, there must be demystification of the division of arts and sciences.
“We live both physiological and sociological lives and so students should study both sciences and arts.”
Dr. Kasozi’s presentation is backed by research by the Inter University Council for East Africa which states that 63% of Ugandan graduates lack critical thinking followed by Tanzania with 61%, Rwanda and Burundi with 55%, which goes to show that Uganda’s higher education is lacking.
On his part, Prof John Mugisha the Vice Chancellor Cavendish University said A levels are still relevant as they give people opportunity to work towards what they want to specilise in.
The debate on whether A levels should be scrapped went on and it was resolved that they are important as members joked that, “If A levels are scrapped and yet they are the requirements for one to join parliament, are we ready for a fifteen year old honourable.”
Mugisha went on to advise that a plan of education must be put in place one that reflects the needs of the society.
He was backed by Uganda Martyr’s University VC Rev. Fr Maviiri who said reforms in the higher education system are required and they ought to be in line with the National Development Plan.
The VCs also discussed the deficiency in PhD holders in universities as National Council of Higher Education requires 60% of university staff to be PhD holders and yet most still range at just 13%.
Dr John C Muyingo commended KIU on its IBML library.
