Kampala, (UG): The Minister for Education and Sports, who is also the First Lady, Hon Janet Kataha Museveni has called upon institutions of higher learning to embrace Victoria University’s technological innovations if Uganda is to achieve the concept of future-proofing in the country’s education sector.
The concept of future-proofing is defined in the Cambridge dictionary as “the process of anticipating the future and developing methods of minimising the effects of shocks and stresses of events.”
The Minister in her speech which was read by the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Hon Thomas Tayebwa at Victoria University’s 7th graduation ceremony applauded the management of VU for adopting technological innovation and advancement.
Mrs Museveni noted that skills and knowledge are no longer sufficient to navigate the challenges and opportunities of the future and a highly competitive job market, and called upon the graduands “to embrace resilience, growth of mind, lifelong learning, knowledge, integrity, compassion and a life of service to the Almighty God”.
“The job industry you [graduates] are about to step into is not the same as it was a decade ago, or even a year ago, certainly, technological advancements, economic shifts, and global events have reshaped the landscape of work,” Mrs Museveni said on Thursday, September 14 at the Kololo Independent Grounds in Kampala.
In his own remarks at the graduation ceremony, Deputy Speaker Tayebwa tasked universities to collaborate if they are to attract a pool of resourceful funding for research and job opportunities for the student.
“Partnerships will make universities stronger, provide institutions with research funds, and offer students job opportunities. Some government universities are already using the academic information management system managed at Kyambogo University and Makerere University. Let’s tap into these innovations at home,” Tayebwa noted.
Dr Lawrence Muganga, the University vice-chancellor, spoke boastful of the graduates whom he described as a ready product to undertake any opportunity that came their way in Uganda and abroad.
“Our graduates, if likened to merchandise, are fully prepared for delivery both within and outside the country. They are poised to confront both the familiar and the unfamiliar challenges ahead. If we were to compare them to food, they are ready to be consumed,” Muganga noted, before asking the government to put in place policies that favour the use of technologies.
”At Victoria University, we have taken a unique approach to ensure that our students do not just leave with credentials, but also with the practical experience necessary to thrive in the competitive job market. Furthermore, we have made it a priority to equip our students with essential digital skills,” he added.
The VC further pleaded with the government to put tax exemptions on technology gadgets imported into the country by universities and also asked companies and organisations not to leave the education task to institutions of learning.
“If you work with us, you will get the best graduates that Uganda needs, let your companies and organisations become our classrooms,’’ he said.
Meanwhile, the Victoria University Chancellor, Prof John Opuda Asibo urged graduates to fight corruption and practice the knowledge learnt in the very dynamic world.
“You must not be driven by power, property, prestige, popularity, corruption, and pomp, as these tendencies are usually destructive,” Prof Opuda urged.
The keynote speaker of the day, Bishop Joshua Maponga, a Zimbabwean scholar urged the graduates to use the skills they have acquired to create a better world. He cautioned students that the knowledge gained should not be taken to bed but to work to impact their mother Africa development-wise and create jobs.
Other keynote speakers at the University’s 7th Graduation Ceremony included; Mr Vusi Thembekwayo, a South African venture capitalist, elite coach and entrepreneur, and social entrepreneur, as well as Sheikh Mansour Bin Mussallam, the president of the Education Relief Foundation.
A total of 548 students graduated in different disciplines. The day was celebrated under the theme ‘Future-proofing learning for you’.
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