Malaysian varsity takes over Ugandan institute
Hand over. The Minister of State for Higher Education, Mr John Chrysostom Muyingo (second right), 2nd Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Affairs Kirunda Kivejinja (right), and other officials tour Namataba Technical Institute in Mukono District after handing it over to Limkokwing University of Malaysia yesterday. PHOTO BY DAMALIE MUKHAYE
What you need to know:
- The Senior President of Limkokwing University, Ms Dato’ Gail Phung, said the university will be the first of its kind in East Africa and will see students from Uganda and the region acquire international degrees and certificates that will enable them compete for jobs worldwide.
Kampala. Limkokwing University of Malaysia has taken over the government-owned Namataba Technical Institute in Mukono District.
The Malaysian creative technology university will offer technology courses to students.
Handing over the institute to the Malaysian officials at Namataba campus yesterday, the Uganda’s Minister of State for Higher Education, Mr John Chrysostom Muyingo, said the current courses offered at the institute have been phased out. He represented the Minister of Education, Ms Janet Museveni.
The courses include automotive vehicles, construction, welding and fabrication.
Mr Muyingo said the students who have been offering the two-year certificate vocational courses at the institute completed their examinations last Friday and the Education ministry did not admit fresh students last year.
He said the new management of Limkokwing University will take over the institute effective next academic year 2019/2010.
“The Ministry of Education last year signed a memorandum of understanding with Limkokwing University to establish a campus in Uganda. Namataba Technical Institute was selected to host the campus which will provide our students with skills training. We are optimistic that thins university will bring her international expertise as a contribution towards the development of high technology and innovative training programmes to drive us towards our Vision 2020,” said Ms Museveni in a speech read for her by Mr Muyingo.
“As government, we attach great importance to the teaching of practical skills and we therefore agreed to collaborate with this university in a public-private-partnership to increase the opportunities of Uganda in gaining access to Limkokwing TVET-oriented courses without having to leave Uganda,” she added.
The Senior President of Limkokwing University, Ms Dato’ Gail Phung, said the university will be the first of its kind in East Africa and will see students from Uganda and the region acquire international degrees and certificates that will enable them compete for jobs worldwide.
“We are set to offer industrial courses which are relevant to Uganda’s economy with high digital technology and with this partnership, we are going to empower the youth of Uganda,” Ms Phung said.
Mr Muyingo and the Malaysian delegation immediately left for State House to meet First Lady and Education Minister, Ms Museveni, for further discussions on tuition charges and other technical considerations before Limkokwing University takes over the institute.
The institute’s principal, Mr Ronald Muwambu, said their 17 teaching and five non-teaching staff will leave to pave way for the new administration.
He said he handed over their staff list to the Ministry of Education for redeployment.
The Mukono Resident District Commissioner, Mr Fred Bamwine, urged government to fulfil its pledge to the local people of giving out sponsorship to the less privileged and reducing tuition charges earlier agreed since they are the host of the new university.
