By Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa/Umoja Standard.
Makerere University is participating in the New Vision Education Expo 2023 to strengthen its niche as the leading provider of education services.
The three-day New Vision Expo (Friday 27 th January 2023 to Sunday 29 th January 2023) at the Uganda Institute of Information and Communications Technology (UICT) Nakawa brings on board players in the education field and business to forge partnerships to improve the quality and outcomes of education in Uganda.
Makerere University seeks to maximally utilize the three days to ensure that the participants at the Education Expo gain a deeper understanding of its 100 years’ journey of providing excellent services to humanity, academic programmes, services offered and ongoing efforts aimed at producing employable graduates as well as entrepreneurs.
(1stL-1stR) Ms. Ritah Namisango, the Principal PRO of Makerere University and Ms. Joyce Muhanguzi, Senior Assistant Registrar in the Department of the Academic Registrar- Makerere University with clients being taken through academic requirements. Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe highlights that Makerere University values stakeholder engagements and partnerships. “The New Vision Expo 2023 presents Makerere University with an opportunity to enhance stakeholder engagements. It is about consolidating the relationships with schools, prospective students and parents, and partners in the education sector. I applaud the CEO of Vision Group-Mr. Don Wanyama for coming up with the Education Expo.”
To respond to the information needs of stakeholders, Makerere University has lined up a team of experienced staff from the Department of the Academic Registrar, the Admissions Office, Public Relations Office, Career Guidance experts as well as the Institute of Open Distance and E-learning under the College of Education and External Studies.
Ms. Ritah Namisango, the Principal PRO of Makerere University responds to a visitor at the stall. Photo Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa.
According to Ms. Ritah Namisango, the Principal PRO of Makerere University, the Education Expo provides a platform to reach out to the clients that Makerere University exists to serve.
“You must be in touch with your prospective parents, students as well as schools and partners that continue to recommend you as the leading university in the region. Makerere University has celebrated 100 years of excellent service to humanity (1922-2022). So, as we continue to promote the academic programmes, innovations and services that we offer, we are ready to listen, interact and learn from respective stakeholders about what they expect from the University as we embrace the next 100 years.” Said Ms. Namisango.
The New Vision Expo 2023 is happening at an opportune time when students are in holiday, which presents quality time to the students, parents and guardians to visit the exhibition and interact with experts in the education sector.
In addition, Makerere University has recently advertised its academic programmes and it is preparing to receive students for the Academic year 2023/2024.
Sharing her experience about the interaction with participants who visited the Makerere University exhibition space, Ms Joyce Muhanguzi, Senior Assistant Registrar in the Department of the Academic Registrar noted that most of the prospective students and parents wanted to know about the academic programmes, the courses (subject combinations) that students should study to qualify to apply for the respective academic programmes, the available admission avenues (government sponsorship, private sponsorship, diploma entry, direct entry, national merit, talented sports entry and district quota programme) to join Makerere University.
Mr. Dennis Kibuuka attends to prospective student at Makerere University stall. Photo Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa.
Ms Joyce Muhanguzi and Mr. Dennis Kibuuka’s interaction focused on students who expressed their desire to join Makerere University in the coming years, and needed a case-by-case approach to their information needs, career guidance and linkages to Professors and Administrative staff in the respective Colleges at Makerere University.
The prospective students and parents also disclosed that in addition to the information on the Makerere University website (www.mak.ac.ug), they welcome interactive and friendly approaches such as the New Vision Education Expo where they are presented with a golden opportunity to interact with Makerere University officials face to face.
For the New Vision Education Expo 2023, Makerere University has exhibited among other exhibitors that include, Government, NGOS, Telecoms, Banks, Insurance, Kindergarten / Day cares, Primary schools, Secondary schools, Universities/ Kenyan Universities, International schools, Study Abroad Agencies, vocational institutions, Uniforms suppliers, Stationery suppliers and different vendors and SME service providers.