UGANDA: Equip Students with International Market-relevant Skills, Prof Kyamanywa
By Masereka Peter
The Uganda Martyrs University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Patrick Kyamanywa has emphasized the need to equip and turn students into skilled internationally market-relevant citizens by aligning them with current Uganda’s education system.
Prof Kyamanywa described education as the most powerful tool for shaping a successful future and making a positive impact on society.
Addressing education stakeholders at Kasese Secondary School during the closure of the Kasese Diocesan Education Week, Prof Kyamanyw emphasized character, competence, confidence, and creativity development among students, calling for the implementation of Pope Francis’ message that asks the Catholic education institutions not to coach learners for examination excellence but the whole person by educating the head, heart, and the hand for skills development to turn students in viable challenge solvers.
He urged education institutions, particularly the catholic founded, to invest in data collection and analysis for improved planning and meaningful intervention saying “We must not be measured by the number of champions we produce, but by the opportunities we create to nurture them.”
In his homily earlier while presiding over Holy Mass on behalf of the Ordinary of Kasese, Msgr. Landaus Bwambale asked learners to secure their future and seek the truth by being educated.
Msgr. Landaus said capability over interest is crucial when building the foundation for the future and self-effort is key as this contributes 70% of success.
“Teachers provide 25% through teaching, mentorship, and guidance while parents or guardians contribute 5%,” he said.
Mr. Henry Otim who delivered the keynote address on behalf of the Uganda Episcopal Conference emphasized the importance of compassion, unity, and fostering a sense of community, urging everyone to live the values of love and care.
The Diocesan Education Secretary, Rev. Fr Joseph Mbusa expressed his gratitude to the catholic education institute for impressing the exercise during the week as a way of promoting catholic education in the diocese of Kasese.
He also appreciated Uganda Martyrs University through the Vice Chancellor Prof. Kyamanywa for extending half-tuition bursaries to the diocese of Kasese, which have greatly supported students in accessing higher education which contributes to the growth and development of the community.
The Kasese Secondary School head teacher, Mr. Joseph Kule Nzukwa encouraged the local leaders, parents, and guardians to practice what the learners exhibited during the education week to have a clean and green environment.
In his report, the Kasese Diocesan Education Secretary, Fr. Joseph Mbusa said his office was focusing on turning schools into centers of spiritual, good character formation, and academic excellence centers aimed at nurturing morally and enlightening knowledgeable Ugandans. END
