A country is not built on paper degrees, says Kyambogo boss

Graduands rejoice at Kyambogo university’s 12th graduation ceremony yesterday. Photos Alex Esagala 

Kampala- Kyambogo University Council chairman John Okedi yesterday appealed to government to review the education system to integrate vocational studies, to enable every graduate to leave school with a skill.

Speaking at the institution’s 12th graduation ceremony, Prof Okedi said current students being churned out only have theory, which is not applicable in the job market.
“Our biggest problem is that we give value to paper qualifications. Bachelor of this, master of this, PhD of that. Most of them are in the theoretical field. My appeal to government is that we must orient our education system. We need more technical and vocational education.

A country is not built on paper degrees but hard work or people who use their heads, hands and fingers. This is why we need technical education,” Prof Okedi said.

He asked parents to stop pressuring their children for money as it forces them into graft.
“A student walks out with a degree today and tomorrow, you start asking for soap and sugar.

This is not a reality. These children are going to continue relying on you to buy them food and soap for some time. Be patient. It will happen one day and they will come and support you,” Prof Okedi said.

The university vice chancellor, Prof Eli Katunguka, said the institution is operating with few staff and is also underfunded. However, he added that they have created several collaborations to supplement their finances.
The students graduated with Bachelor of Business Studies with Education, Science in Accounting and Finance, Bachelor of Procurement and Logistics Management, Management Science, Administrative and Secretarial Science and those pursuing diplomas in Accounting and Finance, Business Administration, Procurement and Logistics Management, special needs. The three-day ceremony ends tomorrow.

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