Deputy speaker to parliament Mr Thomas Tayebwa has called upon universities to turn into centers of research and innovation.
“Innovation is critical for conducting groundbreaking research to transform Africa”, Tayebwa said while officiating at Victoria University’s 8th graduation ceremony at the International Convention Centre, Munyonyo on Friday, 20 September 2024.
Mr Tayebwa urged the university leadership to keep focus on quality education.
“Focus more on quality assurance, look at the student-lecturer ratio, teaching space and mentorship,” Tayebwa said.
“Look at intra-Africa trade and travel. Can you imagine that it is cheaper to travel to Dubai than it is to Mombasa? We as leaders will play our role but as the education sector, you need to play along,” said the deputy speaker.
He pointed out that it is through research that solutions to Africa’s problems will be found.
Tayebwa said that the university’s approach of teaching learners matches the evolving technology, saying that focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI) sets Uganda at the same pace with the rest of the world.
“Some people are misunderstanding that AI will take their jobs, no it will not but you have to adapt to digital solutions quickly,” he said.
The university’s vice-chancellor, Prof. Lawrence Muganga, said that the institution focuses on competence-based teaching, noting that it has proven to be effective in shaping the careers of the learners.
He added that based on the emergence of AI, the university is setting up AI laboratories that will develop systems that speak local languages and understand the country’s business practices.
“From October this year, all students will have free access to AI training until they complete their studies,” he said.
The ceremony saw 1,470 students graduate in various academic disciplines ranging from business studies, medicine, information technology and law, among others.”
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