The Uganda Manufacturers Association (UMA) in partnership with the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Sports with support from the African Development Bank (AfDB) organized a two day internship training program to prepare students for the marketplace. The training which was held from 3-4th June 2016 targeted finalist students from the Colleges of Agricultural and environmental Sciences (CAES), Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (COVAB), Computing and Information Sciences (CoCIS) and Natural Sciences (CONAS).

The three year project will benefit students in the Science and Technology fields from Makerere University, Kyambogo University, Busitema University, Gulu University, Mbarara University of Science and Technology and Muni University.The major goal of the project is to ensure that graduates from the benefitting universities are equipped with knowledge and skills that suit the demands of employers and reduce on unemployment rates among the youth in Uganda.

The two day training, specific to Makerere University students, was an induction training in Workplace Based Skills as a way of orienting them to the program. The students shall thereafter be posted to companies for a 2-6 months internship period. A total of 725 students were invited for the training, and of these 320 will be placed in various firms under the UMA umbrella company association. This number has risen from 178 in 2015 to 320 students in 2016.

The main objectives of the training were to build confidence by improving communication skills, improve interpersonal relationships whilst enhancing team work, and increase potential by marketing oneself. Others included time management, appreciation of the key principles of occupational health and safety, entrepreneurship skills, report writing, problem solving skills and development of a positive work attitude.
 
The Vice Chancellor-Prof. John Ddumba-Ssentamu while opening the training reminded students that resorting to strikes was a habit they should denounce especially once they have been employed. This program is being implemented by the Planning and Development Department and will run from June through to December 2016.
 
The facilitators of training included Mr. Suula Nkuutu and Mr. Joseph Kyalimpa.

AfDB has in the recent past immensely contributed to development initiatives at Makerere University. Prior to this internship training program, AfDB support has contributed to infrastructural development, refurbishment of teaching and learning facilities as well as purchase of equipment to enhance teaching of science and technology-related disciplines at Makerere University.

Article by Nancy Karunganwa, Planning and Development Department (PDD)

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