By Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa.
Nagalama, Wakiso-Uganda: On Wednesday a team from International University of East Africa (IUEA) awarded four hi-tech laptops to four students of St. Joseph Secondary School, Nagalama in Wakiso District after emerging winners of Hi School Crossfire Debate, 2022.
The four students include Angeo Rachael, Naigaga Freda Sandrah, Ashaba Anitah Aryabaha and Kitara Powel.
After awarding winners, Mr. John John Jacob the International University of East Africa Consultant revealed that they sponsored the entire debate discourse with an aim of supporting young people realize their abilities and values as they go further in their academic fields.
He noted that they hosted the finals of Hi School Crossfire at their premises in Kansanga such that participants have a feel of a university which may help them to make wise decisions and to be inspired along their journey.
“The time for physical books is over, it should be mandatory that everyone on a digital platform. In the near future everything will be ordered online and it will be inevitable for everyone. Therefore, its high time we embraced technology before we mess up”. Said John Jacob.
Responding on why they decided to sponsor the competitions, Jacob said that debates are good in that they explore one’s abilities and skills towards the subject matter, sparks dialogue, interactions and brings about innovations.
He further stated that the University will offer a full scholarship to one student from Senior Six who will excel over others in a chosen area by the school. The scholarship is worth UGX.38M.
Damalie Patra from QuizMarie Uganda Limited, organizers of Hi School Crossfire 2022 said that 32 schools registered for the competition from all parts of the country, trained in the format of Hi School Crossfire.
She mentioned that Hi school Cross fire started in 2015 and a number of schools which included, Nyakasura School, St. Josephs Nagalama, Kibuli SS, St. Mary’s Kitende, Namiryango have been winning the competitions.
Damalie stated that this year, the focus was on entrepreneurship mindset topics that included modern agriculture and wildlife conservation, HIV/AIDS, Drugs and others social topics.
The four victors of the competitions told Umoja Standard that the debate was a great experience and a wakeup call to how they have always conducted their discussions.
These added that the debate arouse innovations amongst them as some topics were not so familiar to them that they had to think a lot.
They attributed their success to their teachers who unceasingly equipped them with new ideas and above all the Grace of God that saw them through.
They hailed International University of East Africa for having availed them with high technology laptops saying, they help them to enhance research as it is the pass Ugand’s education is taking.