A dream becomes a reality after proper and strategic planning. No dream can be fulfilled if the dreamers have no method to actualize their dream. A dream to have the Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU) became reality because of proper and strategic planning of the members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Government of Uganda (GoU) and the staff of the university.
The Academic Registrar of the Islamic University in Uganda, Dr Halima Wakabi Akbar says the institution has made a tremendous progress since its establishment on 10th February, 2022. According to Dr Akbar, in 1988, the university had only 80 students but now it has 10,200 students.
“In 1988, the university admitted 80 students among which 18 were girls and the rest were boys. I was one of the girls who joined IUIU in 1988. It is significant to note that from only 80 students in 1988, the university now has 10,200 students from several countries in Sub Saharan African countries,” the Academic Registrar explained.
The IUIU alumnus says there are several factors that have contributed to the increase of number of students from only 80 in 1988 to 10,200 in 2022.
“IUIU is the second oldest University in Uganda after Makerere University. People were yearning for higher education but the country had only one public university. When IUIU came, people joined the institution to achieve their academic dreams. The second factor is that IUIU is based on Islamic values. In 1980s, Muslims had limited access to higher and when IUIU came, more Muslims joined and they are still joining to acquire university education. People must also remember that IUIU also enrolls Christians,” Dr Akbar explained.
According to Dr Akbar, IUIU has also attracted many students over the years because it has maintained its quality.
“The major contributing factor is that IUIU has maintained its quality and it is recognized nationally, regionally and internationally. The quality of our graduates is really commendable. The market has tested them and the feedback is excellent,” she explained.
The Islamic University in Uganda has increased the number of Faculties and Programs since 1988. The Academic Registrar says, when she was reporting for classes, the university had only two faculties and two programs.
“The faculties and programs have expanded by more than 100 percent because in 1988, we started with Faculty of Education and Faculty of Islamic Studies and Arabic Language. Now IUIU boosts of seven faculties that cut across all the fields of specialization. We have Faculties of Education, Islamic Studies and Arabic Language, Arts and Social Sciences, Science, Management Studies, Law and Health Sciences. These Faculties house 98 programs,” Dr Akbar said.
The Academic Registrar says the Islamic University in Uganda is planning to introduce new faculties and programs in the near future.
“There are quite number of faculties and programs faculties that the university wants to introduce in the very near future. In the pipeline now, we have Faculty of Engineering,”
“Discussions and preparations are underway. We also have a Faculty of Agriculture where we are looking forward to venturing into. There are also quite a number of programs especially now we are launching public health programs both at Bachelors and Masters Level. Different faculties are also coming up with market driven short courses,” she elaborated
Seconding the Academic Registrar, the Vice Rector (Academic Affairs) of the Islamic University in Uganda Dr Jamil Serwanga says the institution has a brighter future.
The Vice Rector (AA) who is also one of the students of IUIU narrates that the institution has now put in place new approaches such as having a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery Program, Motion Analysis Research Laboratory (MARL) at IUIU Kampala Campus and the Department of Research and Innovations to continue serving Uganda, Africa and the world scientifically.
“IUIU’s Habib Medical School is one of the best medical schools in Uganda. The school has won several awards for its outstanding performance. The medical school teaches the students to explore challenges in their communities and solve them,”
“IUIU’s Habib Medical School is producing doctors that are commended in the country and elsewhere. Our research laboratory is doing a commendable job.The research has invented a lot of inventions that have been commended by a lot of people including President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni,” Dr Serwanga says.
The Islamic University in Uganda was established in 1988 by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in partnership with Government of Uganda to serve the Anglophone African countries. In 1990, Parliament of Uganda passed the Islamic University in Uganda Act formally establishing of the University in the “Pearl of Africa.” The university operates within the Act.
Meanwhile, the university has four campuses namely Main Campus in Mbale City, Females Campus in Kabojja-Wakiso District, Kampala Campus in Kampala City and Arua Campus in Arua City. The university has had 30 congregations and it has graduated 22,000 since its inception. These graduates are playing pivotal roles in developing their communities in Uganda and elsewhere.
