The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe on Friday, 10th May 2019 briefly interacted with staff from the Academic Registrar (AR)’s Department led by the Academic Registrar, Mr. Alfred Masikye Namoah. The interface was aimed at enhancing service delivery to students, alumni and members of the public.

"You are doing a commendable job, but I would like you to do more. We are here to interact and come up with some new ideas in a bid to serve the students, alumni, staff and other stakeholders better," said the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe.

The meeting that started at 2:30pm in the Main Building Council Room was attended by staff from Makerere University Public Relations Office and staff working in the following Divisions in the AR's Department: Central office; Examinations and Transcripts; Certificates, Ceremonies and Publications;  Undergraduate Admissions and Records.

The Vice Chancellor in his brief address also reiterated the importance of the AR Department in building a positive image of the University.

"The Department of the Academic Registrar is very central in the operations of the University. Your service that involves managing academic records is key in building and protecting the image of the University. So, the way you serve the students, alumni, staff and stakeholders is very critical in maintaining a good image of the University," emphasised the Vice Chancellor.

"You have made major strides in improving the operations of the University. In your service to students, alumni, staff and other stakeholders, please go the extra mile to be courteous, professional, record complaints from students, alumni and stakeholders, and put in place a system to track records as well as information received," said the Vice Chancellor.

On behalf of the team, the Academic Registrar, Mr. Alfred Masikye Namoah commended the Vice Chancellor for initiating the interaction. "We have goodwill from the Vice Chancellor. He ensured that the Department recruited staff who have been designated to serve in the respective Divisions and Colleges and that the Transcripts Office acquires computers. I equally encourage my colleagues to go the extra mile to improve service delivery," said the Academic Registrar.

Mr. Masikye Namoah reported that through the recruitment drive, substantive Registrars have now been positioned at both College and School levels. He further highlighted the following as strategies aimed at enhancing service delivery:

i) Beefing up the number of staff in the Transcripts office. These are now scheduled to undertake training on uploading results into the system

ii) The newly-recruited have been inducted and sensitized on their roles and responsibilities

iii) Initiated consultations to decentralise submission of clearance forms to College level

In line with improving service delivery, the Deputy Registrar (Examinations and Transcripts), Mr. Tom Otim informed the meeting that on 24th March 2019, he issued a notice requesting graduates whose transcripts for one reason or the other are yet to be issued to report such matters directly to his office in Room 512, Level 5, Senate Building.

To further improve records keeping and management, the Deputy Registrar (Undergraduate Admissions and Records Division), Mr. Charles Ssentongo, requested for a special consideration of recruitment of at least two (2) additional members of staff to serve in the Records Office.  "The workload specific to academic files and management of records remains enormous. We therefore request for additional recruitment of at least two (2) members of staff in the Records Office."

The Principal Public Relations Officer, Ms. Ritah Namisango used the same opportunity to emphasise the importance of upholding excellent customer care when handling students, alumni, staff and other stakeholders.

"Excellent customer care and timely delivery of services to students, alumni, staff and other stakeholders significantly impacts on the reputation of the University. Therefore, each and every one of us has a stake in building the corporate image of this great institution" remarked Ms Namisango.

Wrapping up the meeting, the Vice Chancellor pledged to continue the discussion on service delivery by holding a follow-up meeting with AR Department Staff at their home in the Senate Building.

Article by Public Relations Office