Over 1,000 graduands from the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), College of Education and External Studies (CEES), College of Health Sciences (CHS) and College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS) gathered in the Freedom Square to attend the 70th Graduation Ceremony. Accompanied by their parents, guardians and well-wishers, the overjoyed graduands were conferred upon degrees and awarded diplomas of Makerere University.

During the first session of the Graduation which took place on 14th January 2020, Makerere University Convocation recognised Ms. Namayengo Sarah, the best overall student in Sciences at the undergraduate level with a plaque and UGX 1 Million. Ms. Namayengo graduated with a Bachelor of Conservation Forestry and Products Technology scoring a CGPA of 4.83 out of 5.

This year 2020, a total of 13,510 students will be awarded degrees and diplomas of Makerere University in various disciplines. Of these, 6,820 are female and 6,690 are male. 62 graduands 17 of whom are female will receive Degrees of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), while 1,173 of whom 471 are female will receive Masters Degrees. 422 students will be graduating with First Class degrees.

The First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Hon. Janet Kataaha Museveni said that the 70th Graduation is of great significance to the Ministry of Education and Sports and the country at large because Makerere has this time presented more female than male Graduands; 50.5% compared to 49.5% respectively.

“I congratulate the University Council, Management and Senate for this monumental achievement and I am pleased to note that Government’s deliberate efforts in promoting girl child education are starting to pay off,” said Hon. Janet Museveni.

She mentioned that through the Higher Education, Science and Technology (HEST) project implemented by the Ministry of Education and Sports with support from the African Development Bank, the University has established an Incubation Centre to nurture ideas and link University researchers to Industry, who are the end users.

In his speech read by the Prime Minister of Uganda, Rt. Hon. Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, the President of the Republic of Uganda H. E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni noted that the Government is committed to continue supporting Makerere and other universities so that they can play the role expected of them in national development.

“We have demonstrated this through availing the Shs. 30 billion to the Research and Innovations Fund at Makerere University. This is only the beginning and Government will avail more money for research and innovation as the economy improves, as we work together to transform Uganda and reorient mindsets of our people from subsistence to commercial thinking,” said H.E. Museveni.

The President commended the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and BioSecurity for developing animal vaccines such as the anti-tick vaccine and other value chains such as the leather industry. He congratulated the parents, guardians and sponsors upon their children’s successful completion of studies and thanked them for sacrifices made to educate their children.

Addressing the congregation, Prof. Ezra Suruma, the Chancellor of Makerere University applauded the Government of Uganda and other stake holders for the enormous investment they continue to make in education and research at Makerere University.

“The recent decision by the Government to contribute Shs. 30 Billion to research and Innovations is an important contribution to the future of Uganda’s economic and technological development. I commend the Vice Chancellor for appointing a Grants Management Committee (GMC) to ensure that these funds are appropriately allocated, utilized and accounted for,” said Prof. Suruma.

The Chancellor congratulated the graduands upon the successful completion of their educational programs and wished them victory when he said, “for each and every one of you, there is a race to be run and there are victories to be won. I wish many more victories.”

Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University mentioned the University has made tremendous achievements in areas of teaching, learning, research and innovation. He noted that Makerere University is recognized as a global leader on clinical medical research and ranked number two on the African Continent in terms of research output.

He appealed to the graduands to utilize the skills and knowledge obtained to transform and develop not only their communities but also the country at large.

“We have done our best to impart to you knowledge and skills that you require as a foundation for working towards achieving your goals. I wish you luck as you seek for opportunities in the world either to be gainfully employed or to create jobs,” said Prof. Nawangwe.

Article by: Esther Joy Nakibombo Volunteer Mak Public Relations Office

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