By Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa/ Umoja Standard.
UTAMU-Kungu Campus: On Thursday, Uganda’s Minister of Works and Transport Gen. Katumba Wamala testified government’s commitment in complementing and supporting Uganda Management And Technology University (UTAMU) in promoting and marketing Online Distance electronic Learning (ODeL).
He encouraged the University to focus on executive trainings fully undertaken online for various (Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs) including local governments, URA, NSSF, schools, hospitals, health centres among others that have staff across the country.
Gen. Katumba Wamala, Uganda’s Minister of Works and Transport as Guest of honor addresses the congregation at Uganda Technology And Management University’s 7th Graduation. Photo by Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa.
He stated that blended learning that mixes online with minimal face to face interaction should also be encouraged and promoted.
He revealed this during UTAMU’s 7th graduation where 306 students graduated in different disciplines at their new campus, Kungu-Nansana Municipality.
Important to note:
306 students graduated at UTAMU’s 7th Graduation.
64 were conferred upon Masters’ degrees, 153-Postgraduate Diplomas, 77-Bachelors’ Degrees and 12 Diplomas in various disciplines.
UTAMU to offer 300 academic scholarships starting with 2023 Academic year in different categories.
Luyiggo Anna Elsie a graduate of Masters in Monitoring and Evaluation emerged the overall best student with CGPA, 4.89 followed by Byamugisha Jordan Robert a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Computer security and Forensics with CGPA 4.55.
Members of staff of Uganda Technology And Managament University’s are seen during 7th Graduation. Photo by Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa.
He alluded to the fact that the bottom line is that ‘we need to gradually shift learning from brick and motor classrooms to online/virtual classrooms that promote collaborative, interactive and student centred learning’.
It is against this background that he mentioned that UTAMU is best placed to lead in online teaching, online assessment and online supervision among others saying, web-based technology assisted teaching is what is convenient for the local government staff that are based in all parts of Uganda who want to upgrade their skills through further education.
“This is a generation where the population including civil servants should be able to work and study at the same time. The Ministry of Works and Transport is willing and able to have meaningful partnerships with higher educational institutions in areas of common interest”. Gen. Katumba.
“I would like to assure you of government’s support since you are complementing the government in the provision of education which is one of the pillars of development. So, come up with strategic projects and programmes that government can buy into and partner with you”. He added.
After coffering academic awards to graduates, Dr. Patrick Bitature the Chancellor of UTAMU tasked University management to expedite the charter latest June next year saying it will add more credibility to the tremendous work they are doing.
Dr. Patrick Bitature the Chancellor of Uganda Technology And Management University (UTAMU) confers academic awards to graduates of UTAMU’s 7th Graduation. Photo by Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa.
“UTAMU should mainly focus on creating impact globally in technology and management education- research and innovation and these must be reflected in the academic programmes it is running. This cannot be effected alone, so you need to partner with other institutions globally” Dr. Bitature.
“With UTAMU’s motto ‘For an open Mind’, fits in well with forging partnerships and collaborations. Today innovations are open and collaborative and so impactful”. He added.
He implored management to partner with private sector to undertake research and students’ projects as this will increase uptake of these projects by the private sector for commercialization.
While delivering his remarks, Prof. Eddy Kurobuza Tukamushaba, the Vice Chancellor of UTAMU stressed that they have an excellent e-learning and e-library platforms convenient for working and long-distance students, student Centered learning approach with distinguished professors and industry experts, Community engagement to undergraduate students for 4 months each academic year.
He revealed that the University has already submitted an application for the charter as required by the National Council for Higher Education waiting for approval soon.
Prof. Eddy Kurobuza Tukamushaba, the Vice Chancellor of Uganda Technology And Management University (UTAMU) delivers his speech at UTAMU’s 7th Graduation. Photo by Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa.
“We have entered into an affiliation arrangement with Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) to jointly run the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programmes and was duly approved by the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) at its 66th sitting of 22nd August 2022. This initiative is aimed at addressing the educational gaps at doctoral level in the East African Region and beyond”. Prof. Tukamushaba.
He noted that at the same sitting, 28 Academic Programmes were accredited for a period of five (5) years effective 22nd August 2022.
Five other new programmes that include; Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting and Finance, Postgraduate Diploma in international Business, Postgraduate Diploma in Institutional Management and leadership, Bachelor of Education-Secondary and Higher Education Certificate-General were accredited by NCHE at the same sitting.
Parents and guardians witness their children success at Uganda Technology And Management University’s 7th Graduation. Photo by Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa.
He added Master of Project Planning and management and Postgraduate Diploma in Education and Technology were also submitted on 30th August 2022 for accreditation. He believed that this will beef-up their strategies of becoming a global educational institution of excellence in management, science, technology and innovation.
He said that UTAMU has also entered into memorandums of understanding with several institutions such as University of Liverpool, Teso Education Fund (TEF), Natural Chemotherapeutics Research Institute, Management Training and Advisory Center (MTAC) and others focusing on areas such as joint research, capacity building, training, technology transfer, and provision of services.
He implored graduates to discover their passion in the world, be creative, inquisitive, and become nobel and diligent citizens who stand to make a difference in every community, outstanding and not outdated, risk takers and not causers.
Prof. Venansius Baryamureeba who doubles as the Chairman Board of Directors of Uganda Technology And Management University (UTAMU) delivers his speech at 7th Graduation ceremony. Photo by Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa.
In his speech, Prof. Venansius Baryamureeba who doubles as the Chairman Board of Directors and proprietor of the University revealed that in a bid to give back, they are offering 300 annual scholarships on its January 2023 intake, 100 annual scholarships-20 per region covering tuition and functional fees to secondary school teachers holding diplomas on the Bachelor of Education (Secondary);
He said that these are directed specifically to teachers in public and private secondary schools and women will take 50% of it. ‘This is aimed at enhancing the quality of teaching and learning in secondary schools across the country’;
50 annual scholarships- 10 per region covering tuition and functional fees to employees of Local Governments (LGs) on the Bachelor of Public Administration and Management. ‘This is aimed at contributing to enhancement of public administration and management at local government level’;
50 annual scholarships-10 per region covering tuition and functional fees to employees of Local Governments (LGs) on the Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance with an aim of contributing to enhancement of accountability and financial management at local government level;
And 100 annual scholarships-20 per region covering tuition and functional fees to youths below the age of 30 on the Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering aiming at empowering the youths with 21st century software development skills to start and run successful software companies and contribute to job creation and economic growth and nurture the next generation of Ugandan Billionaires.
He added that UTAMU is in the process of starting the School of Engineering where and would like to partner with the Ministry of Works and Transport especially at local government level on training students on the B.Sc. in Civil Engineering to enhance capacity of LGs in road construction and maintenance.
Chancellor’s recession leaves the venue. Photo by Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa.
ABOUT UGANDA MANAGEMENT AND TECHNOLOGY UNIVERSITY (UTAMU).
Ugandan Technology and Management University (UTAMU) is a private university that was established by the National Council for Higher Education in March 2013, in accordance with the laws of Uganda.
UTAMU is accredited to run academic programmes at all levels of the Higher education system.