Former minister Kaijuka challenges universities to remain relevant

Universities in Uganda have been challenged to adopt strategies on how they can remain relevant to the education and training needs of the current global labor market.

This was sounded by Sir Richard Kaijuka, the Chairperson board of trustees Uganda Chamber of Mines and Petroleum, who said that Uganda is awash with universities and each university must seek what makes it different from the others.

Sir Kaijuka, who is a former minister of energy was speaking as guest of honor on Friday at the Ankole Western University’s second graduation ceremony at its campus in Kabwohe, Sheema Municipality, where he pointed that Universities must look into marketable courses like agriculture and information technology, and skills development programs that can have their graduates ably compete on the job market and fight unemployment.

He said universities must work out an appropriate niche that defines them in areas that are sustainable instead of producing graduates without jobs.
“Ponder and adopt strategy on how you can remain relevant to the education and training of today’s labor market. You should focus on the skills development program by identifying areas of competitive advantage. Each university should consider incorporating its training curriculum to add value on food processing activities like sausage making, drying food stuffs, packaging and marketing so that agriculture can be fully undertaken. This will help in making agriculture attractive and draw some of the unemployed youth,” said Sir Kaijuka.

He added that all university students, irrespective of the courses they take should acquire basic and intermediate computer skills.
He argued that every graduate should walk out of university capable of using a computer for various purposes including writing a business proposal.
“A well-conceived and designed business proposal will help students attract funding for their business. I urge this university to identify key areas and excel in imparting skills,” he said.

He also urged universities to train students as they earn, stressing that students should not only engage in skills development project but also earn money from these activities.

Kaijuka asked Ankole Western University to take advantage of artisanal mining in the surrounding areas of Bushenyi, Buhweju and Ibanda and engage in training programs for students to engage in jewelry making and also conduct research on jewelry making.

The Ankole Western University Chancellor who is the bishop of West Ankole Diocese, Rt. Rev Johnson Twinomujuni advised the graduands to be determined to stay alive and take care of their bodies, strive for more knowledge, and trust in God instead of leaning on their human understanding.
“Be determined to stay alive. Take care of your bodies without which you can neither be nor do anything. Strive for more knowledge. The good can be an enemy of the best, do not settle with the average. Stay away from sin, know and serve Christ,” he said.

About 243 (169 females and 74 males) were awarded certificates after completing their studies in certificate and diploma courses at the University in business, Education, and social science disciplines.