Integrity of Mak degrees must be honoured by all

A last-minute decision by Makerere University Business School (Mubs) to process reigning Miss World Africa for an award of Makerere University degree has stirred criticism. And we hold that for the right reasons. Ms Quinn Abenakyo graduated last month when her name was not in the official graduation booklet. That was evidently irregular.

Mubs’ Principal Wasswa Balunywa explained later that he, on request, authorised a special examination for the beauty queen to pass a failed paper because a crown holder not graduating would be shameful for Uganda.
First, we heartily congratulate Ms Abenakyo for her par-excellence exploits at Miss World beauty pageant. Second, we applaud her mobility from humble beginnings to stardom as a mark of innate flair. Third, we hold her in high esteem as an honest achiever and role model.

We, however, argue that her feat as a beauty queen was based on standards separate from eligibility criteria for conferment of Makerere University degree or award of its diploma and certificates.
Her global attainment proves that the world affords humans opportunity to thrive beyond the eminence of scholarship. Therefore, it was needless to expose the beauty queen to such shameful scrutiny.

It is our position that Prof Balunywa’s laissez-faire account on such a serious matter is ignoble because it masks a shocking breach of policy that undergirds the integrity of Makerere University academic awards.
The institution abandoned special examinations when it adopted the semester system under which a student can only sit a failed paper when it is next offered. There is no policy that confers on Mubs principal the power to administer special exams for which many other students, with valid reasons, would be entitled.

Section 45(f) of the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act, 2001, provides that it is the Senate that decides “which persons have reached the standards of proficiency and are fit for the award of any degree, diploma, certificate or other award of the university”.
Thus the Makerere University Senate should have approved special examinations not for Ms Abenakyo, but any students with retakes. That would show equity and fairness at the public institution since policies cannot be applied selectively.

These rigorous processes clothe against smuggling of undeserving students onto graduate list and guarantee the honour and credibility of the institution’s academic awards that alumni use to advance studies or secure jobs. Makerere academic awards must be earned, not donated. Let’s all invest to protect the integrity and value of the papers.