NCHE blamed over sub-standard universities

In Summary

The Vice Chancellor, Prof Eli Katunguka, also warned the graduates against wasting themselves in weed (drugs) when they fail to get the jobs they want

The Kyambogo University Council chairman, Prof John Okedi, has castigated the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) for giving out operating licences to mushrooming universities that do not meet the standard requirements.

Prof Okedi, who was speaking at the university’s 12th graduation ceremony yesterday, wondered how private universities with a single building can be granted an operation licence.

“I am challenged by the way some private universities with a single building can be granted an operation licence,” he said.
The NCHE accredits institutions of higher learning after it has met and continues to meet the standards set by the council for delivery of higher education in accordance with the provisions of Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act, 2001.

For any institution to be accredited, the national council must be satisfied, after a series of inspections and visitations, that the institution concerned has adequate physical and financial resources, viable programmes, adequate qualified staff and structures of governance to deliver quality higher education.

“An appropriate university should have the requirements that make it possible for proper learning of the students besides sitting in a room and take on lectures like providing space for interaction, networking, development of talents,” he said.

At the end of the three-day ceremony, a total of 6,480 students will have graduated with 134 graduating with first class honours degrees. Among the graduates, 2,922 (45 per cent) are female and less than 30 missed the graduation.

The Vice Chancellor, Prof Eli Katunguka, also warned the graduates against wasting themselves in weed (drugs) when they fail to get the jobs they want.

“If you fail to get a job immediately, take heart and patiently wait as you think of creating an opportunity. Avoid lifestyles that put you at risk of cutting your vision and career short, like weed, alcohol and HIV/Aids,” said Prof Katunguka.

The numbers
45
The number of universities in Uganda, nine of which are public universities, 30 are private, four are military and three are degree-awarding universities.
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