Education
Pomp & glamour as Mak Centre for Lifelong Learning Passes Out 160
It was all pomp and glamour as 164 students graduated with Diplomas and certificates at Makerere University Centre for Lifelong Learning (CLL).
The Centre, which offers UBTEB courses, operates under the College of Education and External Studies (CEES). Its major mandate is to identify community learning needs, develop and deliver a wide range of high quality non-credit, lifelong learning/education through offering Short Diploma and Certificate practical courses.
A total of 164 students graduated on Saturday 18th February, 2023 in various disciplines including diplomas in Mechanical Engineering, Procurement, Architecture, Civil Engineering, Public Administration and management.
Of these 67 were female while 97 were male.
While officiating at the ceremony, Mr. Geoffrey Kawanguzi, the Deputy Executive Secretary of Uganda Business and Technical Examination Board (UBTEB) in charge of Finance, Administration and Human Resource hailed the graduands for not indulging in examination malpractice.
“That was good and this time we got a good number of female students yet in the TVET sector it’s very rare to find a big number of females especially in engineering and architecture, but this time they were there,” he said.
“We encourage students to take up Diploma Courses especially the practical ones so that they go to the world of work and serve,” he added.
Prof. Anthony Muwagga Mugagga, the Principal of CEES appreciated the students and the parents for the hard work and persistence.
He encouraged graduands to implement what they have learnt and create jobs.
Dr. Oscar Mugula, the Ag. National Coordinator for the CLL said that over the years they have ensured that they fulfill the Centre’s mandate by taking the University directly to the people.
“We do this through offering short Certificate and Diploma Courses, specifically targeting students who have scored one Principal Pass and two subsidiary passes. We help them transit to their degree studies by enabling them attain the UBTEB qualifications,” he said adding,
“These National Diplomas are awarded by Uganda Business and Technical Examination Board (UBTEB). Therefore, the qualifications are recognised by government and can enable students to compete like any other student from any other institution both in Uganda and Worldwide.”
CLL has been in existence since 1986 at Makerere University, according to Mugula.
“It was managed under the Uganda National Examination Board (UNEB) until 2011 when UNEB was split and gave birth to UBTEB,” he said.
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Government through the Ministry of Education and Sports has been called upon to find ways of popularizing the subject of art and crafts in lower and higher secondary education.
Prof. Anthony Muggaga, the Principal of the College of Education and External Studies at Makerere University, said yesterday that the government should explore measures including making the subject compulsory.
“We should have at least a module for one term like we have General Paper or computer,” he said.
Prof. Mugagga believes that without popularizing Fine Art, the education sector will continue churning out students who lack critical thinking.
“Fine Art is what will cultivate a critical mindset amongst our learners. That is why we encourage children in nursery school to draw; we are trying to bring out what is in their minds,” he said.
“It is the same reason that art is considered therapy for mental health patients. When they draw, they express what is taking place in their minds.”
Prof. Mugagga was speaking at the launch of the findings of the pilot report for the Visual Arts Curriculum Review.
Dr Julius Ssegantebuka from Makerere University College of Education and External Studies and the lead researchers said the curriculum review project is intended to prepare secondary school art and design teachers, by equipping them with practical skills and values that match the modern world.
“During this second phase of the project, we had trial lectures and discussions with the teachers. We also embarked on removing obsolete content and replaced it with new content and also separated some of the art disciplines that were formally combined,” he said.
The updated curriculum he said, puts emphasis on research, group discussions, and field studies among others.
Speaking as chief guest at the launch, Dr Grace K Baguma, the Director National Curriculum Development Center commended the initiative.
“I commend Dr Ssegantebuka and the team for this initiative, which is aimed at contributing to the development of quality curricula that employ modern pedagogies that respond to societal needs,” she said.
On her part, Dr Moreen Muwanga from Kyambogo University called for the integration of ICT in the teaching of visual arts.
“Many of us have a phobia of handling a computer. Yet the students we are teaching are flexible and conversant with ICT,” she said.
The Acting Vice Chancellor, Assoc. Prof. Umar Kakumba has welcomed a delegation from the German Adult Education Association (DVV International) led by the Board Chair Hon. Martin Rabanus. The delegation was in the country to assess the impact of their partnership with Makerere University and the community.
DVV International and Makerere University, Department of Adult and Community Education have been partners since 1986.
The support has been in the areas of teaching and learning. DVV International supported the development and launch of the Master of Adult and Community Education (MACE) in 2007. Makerere University has since graduated many who now work as lecturers in Higher Institutions of Learning, programme managers, development workers, adult education trainers and so on. Before then, DVV International was supporting undergraduate students of the Bachelor of Adult and Community Education (BACE) with financial support towards internships and practical training during the Recess term of Year 2.
Speaking in his office on April 15, 2024, Assoc. Prof. Kakumba appreciated the Germany government for the support over the years. Saying through this support Makerere has continued to foster adult education by settling up Adult Education centres in Lira and Mbale for this purpose.
DVV International has over time supported staff in the area of research and publications. Some of the beneficiaries include Dr. Stella Achen, Dr. Twine Banakuka, among others. In early 1990s the organization helped to renovate the building housing adult and community education. The organization has also previously supported staff to acquire Masters and PhDs.
Prof. Kakumba appealed to Hon. Martin Rabanus to consider renewing the MoU between the two institutions in an effort to continue training adult educators.
Hon. Martin Rabanus applauded Makerere University for the achievements obtained so far and the contribution the partnership has enabled. “We are happy that we were able to provide adults an opportunity for them to get a certificate and improve their lives,” he said. “Thank you for the corporation for the last 40 years.”
Present in the meeting were the Principal of College of Education and External Studies(CEES), Prof. Anthony Mugagga, the Dean of the School of Distance and Lifelong Learning, Dr. Harriet Nabushawo and Dr. Stella Achen – Head of Department, Adult and Community Education.
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