Kyambogo shifts focus to postgraduate education as 11,721 graduate 

Kyambogo University has announced a shift in its academic priorities by offering more master’s and PhD programs while limiting the number of bachelor’s degree programs.

This move was announced today by the vice chancellor, Prof Eli Katunguka Rwakishaya, during a pre-graduation press briefing held at the university council room. Katunguka said the decision aligns with the university’s strategic plan to focus more on skill-based and research-intensive programs.

“President Museveni has consistently criticized public universities for fuelling unemployment by focusing on programs that don’t lead to job creation. When you pass through Banda at night, it is crowded with young people who are our products but engaged in menial jobs yet they are graduates,” Katunguka said.

He added: “We are not phasing out bachelor’s programs but we have good skill-based science and vocational programs that should be given more priority at undergraduate as well as create a calibre of more skilled people at the masters and PhD levels.”

Currently, Kyambogo runs about 90 bachelor’s programs, 48 Masters, and 13 PhDs. Katunguka explained that the university needs to build a strong foundation for advanced research and innovation by expanding postgraduate programs to significantly contribute to national and global development.

The announcement comes as the university prepares to graduate 11,721 students at its 20^th graduation ceremony next week. This is the highest number of graduates in the institution’s history. Out of the 11,721 students, 5,704 are males and 6,017 females. Eight students will receive PhDs while 219 with graduate with masters from various fields.

Unlike previous years when the ceremony spanned three days, this year’s graduation will last four days to accommodate the increase in numbers from December 10 to 13, 2024. The vice president, Jessica Alupo, will feature on day one as chief guest while the state minister for Higher Education, Dr John Chrysostom Muyingo will preside over the last day of the ceremonies.

“We are set and everything is ready for the graduation day. No addendums will be printed because the booklets and invitation cards are already being distributed and just waiting for the day,” Katunguka said, adding that transcripts and certificates will be picked a week or later after the graduation days.

BEST STUDENTS

The overall best student is Grace Rukwanzi with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.90 in Bachelor of Business Administration. She is followed by Winnie Sarah Nakalema (4.86) with a Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition and Dietetics, and Bridget Kabugho (4.85) with a Bachelor of Science Technology-Physics.

Chelimo Edith came in fourth place (4.83) Bachelor of Management Science while Sarah Nakubulwa completed the top five tier with a CGPA of 4.82 with a Bachelor of Vocational Studies in Home Economics with Education.

The best performing male student is Justine Joel Okwang with a CGPA of 4.81 with a Bachelor of Information Technology and Computing. The ceremonies will kick off on Tuesday next week with students from the faculty of Special Needs and Rehabilitation and the School of Management and Entrepreneurship.

On Wednesday, students from the faculty of Arts and Humanities, School of Vocational Studies, School of Art and Industrial Design, and faculty of Agriculture will graduate. On Thursday, there will be students from the faculty of Social Sciences, the faculty of Science, the School of Computing and Information Science, and the School of Built Environment.

The graduation will climax on Friday with students from the School of Education, Faculty of Engineering, and Institute of Distance Education and E-learning.

nangonzi@observer.ug