Authorities at Kyambogo University have resolved to scrap off at least 47 diploma and certificate courses as part of the wider reforms being undertaken at the university. This move is aimed at allowing the university to focus on reforms that promote research and innovation at the institution.
Some of the courses include Certificate in Adult and Community Education, Certificate in Deafness and Blindness, Certificate in Science Laboratory Technology, among others.
Last week, the vice chancellor, professor Eli Katunguka confirmed the proposal saying, the university will concentrate on bachelors, masters and doctorate courses. He also added that the university management is expected to present a catalogue of the affected courses to the senate in March next year to make the final decision.
“We want to ensure that this decision is reached upon by the university senate before next academic year 2020/2021 so that we don’t advertise them.” He said.
Professor Katunguka said that the certificate and diploma programmes were inherited from Uganda Polytechnic Kyambogo and Institute for Teacher Education.
“They are highly demanded programmes and very central to skilling the youth but we are under pressure to phase them out if we are to develop into a research active university.” He further noted.
He added that the idea is to expedite reforms needed to create knowledge through research and innovation because the courses are also run in other vocational training institutes. Professor Mary Gorretti Namusoke, the deputy vice chancellor for academic affairs said that once the senate approves the proposal, the university council will endorse it.
“When the senate makes the final decision on the matter, the university council will pronounce itself on the same and the university will stop advertising those courses.” She said.
Ms. Namusoke also added that it’s not the first time they are phasing out courses and urged people not to panic. She also affirmed that continuing students will be given time to complete their courses and that the lecturers who have been teaching the affected courses will not lose their jobs since they are also handling bachelor’s degree programmes.
“The lecturers are safe, they will keep their jobs. They will use the time they have been spending on certificate and diploma students to do research and publish it.” She said.
