Kampala International University (KIU) is set to graduate over 2,500 students this Saturday 12 November, 2022 at the institution’s main campus in Kansanga. This will be the university’s 26th graduation ceremony.
Appearing on Baba Television’s ‘Gangamuka’ show on Thursday, KIU Vice Chancellor, Dr. Mouhamad Mpezamihigo revealed that out of the 2,500+ graduands, 43 per cent are females and in terms of science vs other disciplines, 45 per cent have been undertaking sciences.
“Largely the bulk of graduands who are undertaking sciences are based at our Western Campus where we have the science, engineering and technology hub. We do medicine, engineering, pharmacy, nursing and allied health sciences and science education,” Dr. Mpezamihigo said.
He added that as the best private university in Uganda, they are trying to ensure that they create the best science and technology hub for both teaching and learning, research and innovation in Uganda.
“Basically we are contributing towards this number of building a critical mass of scientists who are going to drive innovations that particularly address the concerns of our society. It’s useless to produce people who are first of all cannot contribute to the development of their country and this is something really universities must be thinking; ask the fundamental question, science and innovation, can your scientists participate in innovation that address the local, national , regional and international concerns?” the Vice Chancellor inquired.
“KIU is a leading private University in Uganda. The country has more than 55 universities and KIU is one of those in terms of regulation and accreditation. A university that has reached the highest form of accreditation is usually chartered and so KIU is one of the very few universities that have been chartered. A charter means that the qualifications and the awards that we give are equivalent to international standards and therefore are recognized.”
Over the last 21 years, KIU has produced over 30,000 graduates.
On how they prepare their graduates to successfully face the job market, Dr. Mpezamihigo explained, “When a student enrolls for a particular program, this program has what we call a curriculum, which has specific objectives but still within the curriculum there are various courses that make up that particular academic program. And so it is important for a training institution like Kampala International University to focus first of all on what we know as the learning outcomes, what is it that these students will change after years of their study. After that time of graduation, we expect that these students would have added some skills.
The curriculum addresses the needs of employers. We expose our students to internship placements, field trips and other interactions. While they do so, they understand the theoretical background because the knowledge that they acquire through theory training is critical to ground them to understand the practical part. So we try to bridge that gap.”
Dr. Mpezamihigo also disclosed that they have a centre for entrepreneurship, innovation, skilling and vocationalization which equips students with all the necessary working skills.
“So what we do If you come to do Bachelors of Mass Communication and journalism studies for example, we allow you to understand the basic theory, the background of journalism, how it has evolved to date, the use of technology but then allow you to go into our state of the art studio where we now have hands-on. After that we also expose you to internship programs with industries like Baba TV. So we try our level best to make sure that in their free time we give them what we call micro credentials. These are specific skills that help an intending graduate to bridge the gap between his theoretical knowledge from the university and the job market,” he asserted.
Dr. Mpezamihigo further revealed that as an institution that promotes equity and education for all, it gives out scholarships and bursaries especially to the underprivileged Ugandans.
“We have given a 50% waiver to all our new students admitted in August 2022 and those who will be admitted in January 2023. We do acknowledge the challenges that have befallen everybody in terms of financial constraints.”
Report by: Watchdog