After almost a year of being under strict COVID-19 SOPs and the government restricting schools, the Presidential address on 5th, Feb 2021 resolved that universities can finally open their doors to students for face-to-face classes.
One of the universities set to open on 1st March 2021 is the International University of East Africa, nestled in Kansanga, Ggaba Road- Kampala. In our conversation with the Vice-Chancellor, Dr. EmekaAkaezuwa(Ph.D. Information Systems & Structures Rutgers University, USA), we set to find out how prepared the university is for the reopening.
“Following H. E. Yoweri K. Museveni’s recent directive and the Ministry of Education and Sports communication, all SOPS shall be followed very strictly. All our classes have been set up for social distancing and all students will be required to wear masks and latex gloves in all shared areas of the university.” Said Dr. Emeka.
For purposes of harmonising online classes with the face-to-face mode, they have set up state-of-the-art audio and video projection equipment to allow the lectures to communicate in class while observing the social distancing guidelines. With this method, all students will be learning concurrently.
After a long 42 minutes walk around the 7000 student capacity campus, It was clear to us that the university has more than ample space to accommodate all its current students under stipulated MOH guidelines and even more.
Known as the technological university of choice, IUEA has successfully managed to host and run classes online on their custom build OnlineU platform. Through the IUEA OnlineU platform, the university has seen about 500 students complete their final semester studies, exams and graduate seamlessly.
