Islamic university opens doors for medical students in Kibuli
Prof George Kirya, the chairperson of a joint inspection team (L) tours the premises of Habib Medical School in Kibuli yesterday. PHOTO BY AL-MAHDI SSENKABIRWA
What you need to know:
The school starts off with 100 students on October 25 doing courses such as Dentistry, Radiology and Bachelor of Pharmacy, among others.
Kampala- The National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) has given a go-ahead to the Islamic University in Uganda to open up a medical school at its Kibuli campus.
The Habib Medical School will open its doors to pioneer students on October 25 starting with degrees in Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, according to the university spokesperson, Mr Shaban Lukooya.
Other courses expected to be taught include Dentistry, Radiology and Bachelor of Pharmacy. The medical school will start with 100 students.
The university has only been offering a Diploma in General and Comprehensive Nursing at its main campus in Mbale.
NCHE warned the university against adding any academic programme which is not yet accredited, saying it will be in violation of Section 119 (a) of the NCHE Statute that provided for approval of taught courses.
“…You shall not run any academic programmes that have not been accredited by NCHE. Urge staff to implement these programmes in accordance with the regulations of NCHE,” reads a September 30 clearance letter written by the NCHE deputy executive director, Dr Alex Kagume.
Dr Kagume said NCHE officials will review the implementation of the programmes during their periodic inspections to ensure compliance.
Like it is the case in other accredited higher institutions of learning, each student at the medical school will pay Shs20,000 to facilitate NCHE activities as precondition for registration each year.
Mr Lukooya said IUIU has already signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Kibuli Hospital allowing the university to use its facilities as its teaching hospital.
“The university working with its development partners, will assist in the expansion of the hospital by increasing its bed capacity and acquiring new and modern equipment.” Mr Lukooya added.
IUIU beginnings
IUIU started in 1988 with 80 students and two degree programmes . Presently, it has 8,553 students. The university offers 56 academic programmes ,ranging from certificate courses to PhD degrees offered in six faculties. It is the only university in the region which runs a girls only campus at Kabojja, one of its four campuses.
