Bishop Stuart University to get charter, says Alupo
Education Minister Jessica Alupo (C) is assisted by Bishop Stuart University Chancellor Sheldon Mwesigwa (R) to reward one of the best students during the graduation ceremony in Mbarara District on Friday. PHOTO BY COLLEB MUGUME
What you need to know:
Education. The institution will be able to participate in students’ loan schemes when it gets the charter by next academic year
Mbarara. Bishop Stuart University will soon get a charter after being cleared by the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE), the Minister for Education, Ms Jessica Alupo, has announced.
Speaking during the university’s 10th graduation ceremony last Friday, Ms Alupo said the institution is among the two that have emerged successful to get a charter out of 11 universities that had submitted for accreditation.
“I can confirm that a list of universities had been submitted to the National Council for Higher Education but out of the long list of eleven universities only two emerged successful, which is Kabale University and Bishop Stuart,” she said.
In pipeline
The minister said she had already received communication from NCHE to that effect and communicated it to President Museveni, who is mandated by law to sign for the charter.
Ms Alupo said by next academic year, the university will be able to participate in the students’ loan scheme and partner with any international development partners after getting the charter.
This follows concerns by the chairperson of the University Council, Prof Eric Sabiti, that it always takes long for institutions to receive a charter making them lose out on some of the benefits like government sponsorship and loans.
Ms Alupo, however, cautioned the university to offer relevant skills in line with development needs and those of the world job market, especially sciences.
The university chancellor, Rt Rev Sheldon Mwesigwa, reminded the minister of the request submitted by stakeholders for a waiver of the education tax, saying it is unfair to private students.
A total of 1,465 students graduated in various disciplines.
Ms Alupo urged the graduates to be disciplined, patient and exercise high levels professional standards like avoiding corruption.
