By Western Focus Team
President Yoweri Museveni has partly blamed the increasing problem of unemployment in the country to Universities’ failure to change from “the old tradition.”
According to Museveni, the issue of universities offering unmarketable courses to students must stop.
He described the situation saying, “There is a mismatch between the university curriculum and the outcome now is unemployment.”
The President expressed his concern saying even when jobs are available; the products (graduates) that universities send out to the job market are not well equipped with relevant skills that the available jobs require.
Museveni mentioned jobs like; doctors, nurses, engineers, science teachers whose demand is relatively high but few students are taking on the courses. This was contained in his message that was delivered by the Prime Minister The Rt. Hon Prime Minister Robina Nabanja during the Valley University of Science and Technology (VUST) 5th graduation on Saturday in Bushenyi district. A beaming and ethusiatic Nabanja was welcomed by the Senior Presidential Advisor Mary Karooro Okurut, the
Museveni said that if a university provides courses which lead its graduates to seek for only white collar jobs, then it (university) only swells the number of the unemployed youth in the country.
Museveni challenged the universities to review the courses they offer, invest in research and innovations to be able to impart skills in the students.
The President commended Valley University for priotising the teaching of science courses which he described as adhering to his call.
Over 850 graduated in different academic disciplines. Out of the graduands, teachers were the majority with 263 getting bachelor of education while 485 got diploma in primary education. Out of the graduands, 385 were males while 472 were females. Museveni donated Sh30million to the University while on her part; Nabanja who charmed the congregation also extended a support of Sh10million.
The President thanked the graduands for being patient to complete their studies. Museveni further advised the graduands to exploit the government programs like the parish development model to create jobs which will later translate to family wealth in collaboration with their parents.
The President thanked Mzee William Mukaira the founder of Valley University for the legacy.
Sir. Richard Kaijuka the university’s chairman Board of Trustees told the graduands that with the new technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) which are emerging, business is going to be ‘unusual’.
“You need to be prepared and ready to adapt. Embrace continuous learning if you are to stay relevant,” Kaijuka advised.
The University Chancellor Dr. James Musinguzi Garuga asked the graduands to always aim at making a positive impact in their respective communities. “True success is reflected in lifting others,” Garuga said. He went ahead to warn the graduands saying, “As you go out, challenges and setbacks are inevitable. Learn from your mistakes/failures and use them as your stepping stones.”
The University council chairperson Prof. William Kyamuhangire said the university is planning to establish laboratories which can help in addressing the different challenges in communities/rural areas.
Kyamuhangire said they want to help people/farmers on; soil testing, food security technologies, value addition, waste management to generate organic manure among others.
The University’s Vice Chancellor Dr. Enos Rwasheema said they have finalized the process of acquiring the charter from the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE.)
Dr. Maria Nakacwa who represented the NCHE congratulated VUST upon making five consecutive graduations. “We have closely monitored this university and they are moving in the right direction,” she said.
Nakacwa asked the universities to always align and harmonize their programs with the National Development plans. “Re-align your programs to the national development programs. Like now, the focus is on industrialization, tourism among others,” Nakacwa advised.
The district chairpersons of Bushenyi region who included; Jaffari Bassajjabalaba (Bushenyi), Benon Karyaija (Mitooma), Deo Atuheire (Buhweju) among other dignitaries attended the graduation. End.
