By Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa, Umoja Standard.
Kyambogo, Uganda: The National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) and the Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen co-operation in higher education. The MOU aims to address the critical need for a workforce that is relevant to Uganda’s economic development, as outlined in Uganda’s Vision 2040 and the National Development Plan 4 (NDP4).
Professor Mary Okwakol, Executive Director of NCHE, stated, “We have a shared vision to address the critical need for a workforce that is relevant to Uganda’s economic development. The MOU will solidify our commitment to bringing together our different expertise to ensure that higher education is inclusive, high-quality, and truly responsive to national and regional development priorities.”
The MOU identifies four areas of co-operation: strengthening quality and market relevance, research, innovation, and commercialization, information sharing and policy advocacy, and resource mobilization. The partnership will focus on evidence-based reviews of curriculum standards and accreditation, ensuring that programs are relevant to the job market.
“The NCHE will provide the necessary regulatory environment, while the PSFU team will mobilize private sector resources and expertise that benefit students, businesses, and the national economy as a whole,” Professor Okwakol said.
The partnership will also support applied research that addresses pressing socio-economic challenges and encourages entrepreneurship education. The MOU facilitates crucial information sharing and policy advocacy, establishing a framework for exchanging information on policy and operational matters.
The implementation of the partnership will be spearheaded by a joint oversight committee with representatives from both parties, tasked with producing regular progress reports. Professor Okwakol emphasized the importance of involving the private sector in the development and implementation of academic and professional programs to increase relevance and employability of graduates.
Mr. Asiimwe Stephen, Executive Director Private Sector Foundation Uganda, stated that the signing of the MOU is a historic event because it answers a big gap in what has been happening in this country. The need for academia and industry to come together in one room is crucial for Uganda’s development.
The PSFU has been working to promote private sector growth and development in Uganda. According to Mr. Stephen, “The private sector and academia in Uganda have huge capacity to transform this country. We have all our very good ideas locked in one room and all our money locked in a bank safe somewhere.”
“We are an impact organization. We create influence and we share some core values called integrity. The three I’s, impact, influence, and integrity,” Mr. Stephen said.
The PSFU has been working on various initiatives to promote entrepreneurship and job creation. One of the initiatives is the GROW project, which aims to support women entrepreneurs in Uganda.
“We are here on a very exciting journey to ensure that we create jobs and promote economic growth. We believe that this partnership with NCHE will help us achieve our goals and contribute to the development of Uganda,” said Mr. Stephen.
The signing of the MOU between NCHE and PSFU marks a significant milestone in Uganda’s pursuit of quality higher education and economic development. Amalgamating their expertise and resources, the two organizations aim to equip Ugandan youth with the skills and knowledge required to drive the country’s growth and prosperity. This partnership is aimed to fostering a culture of innovation, entrepreneurship, and collaboration between academia and industry.
