By Bright Malenga
The Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU) Vice Rector for Academic Affairs Professor Ismail Gyagenda has advised students to avoid relationships while at school. Professor Gyagenda made the remarks today at IUIU Main Campus in Mbale during an induction training for Islamic University Course Coordinators Association (IUCCA).
Addressing the course coordinators in the main hall, Gyagenda said it is not good to have relationships because it has many disadvantages on academic journey. “Don’t rush to have relationships. First complete school because the time for you to have a partner will come.” “Don’t waste time on relationships. Use your time to study and get a first class degree. If you will fail to get a first class degree, work hard for a second class upper.” Gyagenda said.
He advised the course coordinators to work diligently to help the university serve the students well. “You are our eyes on the ground. The administration can not be in every class. You are an important part of the system so you need to be committed when discharging duties.” “One way of helping the administration is through keeping records. You are supposed to guard the attendance sheet because it will help us to evaluate how the learners and lecturers have been attending lectures.” He said.
Professor Gyagenda worried about other course coordinators who hide fellow students claiming to love them. “We think we are helping our friends by hiding their bad behavior but that’s wrong. Sometimes your friends don’t attend lectures but you sign for them on the attendance sheet. That is lying to yourselves and to the university.”
“If you deny writing the names of your friends who didn’t attend the lecture on the attendance sheet, you are making them to attend a lecture next time.” He said. The induction training was attended by course coordinators from IUIU Main and Female campuses. IUIU has four campuses namely Main in Mbale Municipality, Kampala in Kibuli-Kampala, Females in Kabojja-Kampala and Arua in Arua district.
