By Prisca Adaeze Nenger

Kampala International University (KIU) today hosts the 9th Uganda Vice-Chancellors' Forum (UVCF) Conference, under the theme "Higher Education in Uganda". The event which was held at the Iddi Basajjabala Memorial Library (IBML), in her main campus in Kansanga-Ggaba Road, Kampala, had Vice-Chancellors and other management staff from various universities (including public and private universities) across Uganda in attendance.

The Vice-Chancellor KIU; Dr. Mouhammad Mpezamihigo took participants present round the IBML for a tour around the Library facility, after which he welcomed all participants to KIU for the 9th UVCF Conference in his opening remark. Showcasing an overview of other facilities of KIU in pictures including her Western campus in Ishaka-Bushenyi, which houses the University's Medical School and the newly built Engineering Laboratories, Dr. Mpezamihigo recounted the giant feats the university has achieved in recent times, especially, KIU being the only university in Uganda with its own teaching hospital as well as an emerging HUb of Science in East Africa with the most recent accreditation of 12 Engineering programmes for the university by the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE).

"KIU is the only medical school with its own teaching hospital in Uganda."

Dr. Mouhammad Mpezamihigo proclaimed.

Addressing the participants, the Minister of General Duties, Office of the Prime Minister; Hon. Mary Karooro Okurut, who is the Guest of Honour, expressed her delight for being present at the 9th UVCF Conference. She, therefore, stated that the journey of higher education in Uganda has thrived, compared to how it all started.

"We can see where we are, the journey has been great."

Minister of General Duties, Office of the Prime Minister, Republic of Uganda.

Hon. Okurut, specifically, acknowledge and appreciated all the partners of higher education in Uganda such as the World Bank and the entire donor community that has joined hands with the government to take higher education in Uganda to where it is today.

On their own, the two presenters for the day: Dr. A. B. Kasozi; Research Fellow, Makerere Institute of Social Research and Professor John Mugisha; Vice-Chancellor Cavendish University, both in Uganda, spoke on the theme - 'Higher Education in Uganda'. After their presentations, both speakers proposed a way forward for the Ugandan higher education system with regards to scrapping A-Level education system in Uganda and combining disciplines from arts and sciences for students in secondary schools up to entry-level at the universities, so as to embrace a wholesome education for her citizens in the present academic revolution.

Government Should Consider Private Universities For Research Grants

While appreciating the government for the loan scheme initiative in higher education, KIU Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic Affairs; Professor George Nasinyama in addition to other participants, called on the government to also invest funds across boards in the higher education system in Uganda, stating that not only government but private universities inclusive should be considered as beneficiaries of the loan scheme and/or grants from the government of Uganda, as they all add to the academic quota of the country in one way or another.

Quality Control Should Start From Within

Before closing the meeting, Hon. Dr. J.C Muyingo; Minister of State for Higher Education, made his remarks where he urged all Vice-Chancellors and other university leaderships present to think of what they can do for themselves before seeking for external help from international agencies.

We should think of what we can do for ourselves before we seek external help before we broaden our search for international assistance. For example, quality control should start with us.

Minister of State for Higher Education

KIU To Allow Students From Other Universities Enjoy Research-Based Facilities At Her Main Campus Library

Speaking about KIU, Hon. Dr. Muyingo appreciated the university, through the leadership of Dr. Mpezamihigo and other management teams, for their good initiative of intending to open up its facilities to students from other universities and the general public, for academic and research purposes.

More so, the Minister of State for Higher Education thanked the organizers of the conference for such a great meeting with a pool of ideas, as well as all Vice-Chancellors for using the Forum to strengthen the university systems and for solving other social-economic problems in the country, going by the resolutions from the conference. The Minister, therefore, declared the 9^th UVCF Conference formally closed.