One of the most difficult decisions for parents and students intending to join university is to choose which one you will want to go to from the many choices lined in front of you. The choices between joining a private or government institution can be quite hectic, the one to which university exactly you will be expected to get a holistic education even tougher. The choice to join one of the many campuses of Uganda Christian University (UCU) should not however be a very difficult choice for you.
UCU is a private university in Uganda, the first to be given a private charter by the government of Uganda some 19 years ago. With 5 campuses in Mukono, Kampala, Mbale, Arua and Kabale (Bishop Barham University), affordable education is drawn closer to you at every corner of the country.
The population of the university is growing and is institute is quickly developing. The 5 campuses boast of over 11,000 students, with about 8,000 at the university main campus.
All your study choices are offered at UCU, a “Center of Excellence at the heart of Africa”. There are a lot of programs to choose from. The University offers graduate programs of diplomas, bachelors, masters and the doctorate degrees in over 60 courses in education and arts, law, business and Administration, social sciences, science and technology, divinity and theology, research and post-graduate studies. This means all persons will be covered.
There is an exception of medicine that is not yet taught at the institution, but the university is undertaking construction of a medical school at Mengo in partnership with Mengo Hospital to be able to start teaching and graduating students in medicine. The university is also waiting for the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) to approve the curriculum. During the ground-breaking ceremony of Kampala campus last month, the Vice Chancellor Dr. John Ssenyoyi mentioned that everything for the medical school is readily available. The university would be accepting applications for the 2017/2018 academic year but there is a delay from the NCHE.
The university is founded on a Christian faith and it strongly upholds these values. UCU is founded by the Anglican Church, with the Arch-Bishop of the Church of Uganda, Stanley Ntagali, the Chancellor. It is therefore a very religious. Among the values the university maintains is a proper dress code standard, respect for everybody, students and staff, discourages open relationships on campus and engaging in pre-marital sex, especially pregnancies while on campus.
Students at the university are disciplined. A number of institutions of higher learning in Uganda bear a reputation of perpetual strikes and subsequently being closed for such violence. UCU however carries a positive reputation, for the past 19 years since its founding the institute has never had violent strikes and demonstrations.
Ms. Janet Museveni, Minister for Education and Sports, also the first lady of Uganda is quoted as having appreciated the university for such a record. She said at a graduation ceremony of Mbale campus late last year that the government is proud of the administration for installing total discipline and not involving in strikes since its existence.
“I have never heard UCU being closed because of striking students…” she said.
Once you graduate from UCU, at the end of your program, you will almost graduate immediately. Many institutions will take up to 10 months before the students graduate but the students at UCU do not wait long. Those that finish in April graduate in July the same year, those that finish in August, will graduate in December in such a small time. Students find this very convenient.
UCU is the most beautiful Christian university in the world. At the start of this year, another survey of the many that have been conducted the past years put the university at the 1st position in Africa as being the most beautiful. The survey this year was conducted by Christian Universities Online. It also takes the 50th position worldwide.
The cultures at the university are quite diverse, increasing to its beauty.
The international students that come to UCU also have a special package for them. These students are expected to go through a stage called the “pre-year” to get the students ready to compete with the Ugandan students favorably. There is the international students’ week that seeks to bring these students together and celebrate diversity.
The university also offers financial help and scholarships. There are students that might want to study at the university but cannot afford tuition. The university offers scholarships. There is the Vice Chancellor scholarship full or partial that is given to the best students at the university. The guild also offers aid to every student that qualifies for it.
The university does not just offer the usual course units that you will expect. It is the most unique and only university that offers foundation course units. The university offers basic skills to the students inform of mathematics, ethics, worldviews, research and writing, health and wholesomeness, basic computing and theology which classes are compulsory for every student equipping one with skill that the basic education elsewhere cannot offer.
UCU is just the place to be. In an online interview uploaded on the university website this year, Ms. Christa Kyomuka Oluka, the Manager of Admissions and Student Records feels good about her university.
“The level of service that we give our students is exceptional when compared to other options” she said in the interview. “We are a university that is committed to our students and this is evidence in the quality of our academics, facilities and staff.”
“UCU produces quality education and sought after graduates that are desired by employers out there.” says Michael Mubangizi, from the Communications and Marketing management. He further gives credit to the track record the university has had due to the respect, integrity and honor associated with the institution and the students it graduates.
The students that graduate at UCU are given a “complete education for a complete person”. Your choices for a university are pretty wide, but only UCU will give you an education that is past books. Full of experiences for you. There is a lot you will get being at UCU.
