Aviation varsity opens in Entebbe

L-R: The Entebbe International University Board of Trustees chairman, Lt Gen Koleta, chats with the Entebbe Municipality Member of Parliament, Ms Rosemary Katusiime and the Japanese Ambassador to Uganda, Mr Kazuaki Kameda, in Kampala recently. PHOTO BY DOROTHY NAKAWEESI

What you need to know:

  • Focus. The institution will train people in order to improve international relations.

Kampala.

An aviation university aimed at boosting air transport and international trade has been opened.

Entebbe International University (EIU) will focus on developing the country’s human resource personnel to serve in strategic positions that steer and improve international relations.

The EIU chairman Board of Trustees, Lt Gen Ivan Koreta, while speaking at the institution’s first Conference of Partners held at Imperial Royale in Kampala recently, said: “The university seeks to close the existing unemployment gap through moving in line with its vision of becoming the national and international centre of excellence in strategic and technological studies.”

The university was incorporated in November 2010.
In May 2013, Uganda National Council for Higher Education granted the university an Interim Letter of Authority and in March 2016, the university earned its self a successful inspection by the Council for the grant of an Operating License.

“This institution is here to contribute to East African Community’s job creation effort,” he added.

Universities in Uganda release more than 40,000 graduates into the job market which an only accommodate 10,000. The situation is not any better for countries such as Kenya and Tanzania.

In Kenya, 7/10 jobless people are youth and the annual number of unemployed youth is Sh500,000 as they join the labour market.

In Tanzania, 900,000 youth are released in the job market annually.

In a speech read by state minister for foreign affairs Okello Oryem, Vice President Kiwanuka Ssekandi, who doubles as the EIU Chancellor, said EIU is exploring new areas that need local and international support to achieve the set objectives, a move that needs partnerships especially in technology.

Consequently, different envoys who attended the event, pledged possible partnerships in different areas of academic development.

The South African High Commissioner Mr Lekoa Solly Mollo promised to facilitate engagements and help the university get partnerships through lecturer exchange programmes focusing on integrating modern information communication technology in the programmes EIU will be offering.

Mr Kazuaki Kameda, the Japanese Ambassador to Uganda, said his government has been supporting the development of practical skills in Uganda’s education through JICA projects for decades and therefore, the university could tap into such projects for partnerships.