Chancellor urges firms to employ fresh graduates

The chancellor of Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST), Prof. Peter Mugyenyi, has called for national affirmative action to find jobs for fresh graduates.

Speaking at the university’s 18th graduation ceremony at the weekend, Prof. Mugyenyi appealed to the private sector, especially the established entrepreneurs, to spearhead the initiative.

“Please give new graduates a first job chance by creating special opportunities for them. Let there be no excuses but solutions,” he said, adding: “Even if no new positions exist new graduates can still be taken on as interns, apprentices, or volunteers who earn a small stipend so that they at least get the opportunity to experience.”

He said a trained young generation is an investment to the country.
Prof. Mugyenyi said when advertisements are made, job seekers get delighted but are dismayed when they read at the end that “Applicants must have a minimum of five years work experience.”

Prof. Mugyenyi, however, told the graduates never to give up in their quest for jobs if they want to succeed. The university saw more than 717 students awarded diplomas and degrees.

At least 400,000 graduates are passed out every year yet about 150,000 jobs are created annually. Youth unemployment in Uganda, according to World Bank report on Africa Development Indicators, stands at 83 per cent.

While officiating at the graduation of at least 11,022 students at Makerere University on January 16, the chancellor, Prof. Mondo Kagonyera, asked government to allocate more funds to creative ideas so as to use such projects to ease the unemployment problem.