The executive director for National Council for Higher Education (NCHE), Professor Opuda – Asibe. J, has said that Uganda Christian University (UCU) can now start to admit and teach students two medical courses of medicine and surgery.
In a letter dated 26th February 2018, and received on Monday, this week, the council mentions to the Academic Registrar UCU, that there was a sitting that took place on the 20th February, where it accepted to accredit the programs at the university.
“I am pleased to inform you that after due consideration, Council accepted to accredit the following academic programs for a period of 5 years with effect from 20th February 2018,” reads the letter from Prof. Opuda in part.
The university after a lengthy process of fulfilling the necessary formalities can now start to teach Bachelors of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, and Dental Surgery. Among the other courses accredited include a Bachelor of Development Studies, Bachelor of Project Planning and Management, and a Diploma in Procurement and Logistics Management.
“It is with joy and utmost gratitude to God for me to announce that we received from NCHE the letter of accreditation for two programs amongst others to be offered by UCU,” says the Vice Chancellor of UCU.
Institutes of higher learning in Uganda are only allowed under the law to teach courses that have been accreditation by National Council. The letter cautions universities that would act otherwise, without accreditation.
“You shall not run any academic programs that have not been accredited by National Council for Higher Education,” it reads.
The letter mentions that national council shall make periodic visits in the university to review the implementation of the programs.
There is however a limit to the number of students that the university can take on the Medicines, and Surgery (50 students), and Dental surgery (10 students).
“Please note that the current facilities are accredited to accommodate maximum number of 50 and 10 students respectively,”
The two courses will be taught in partnership with Mengo Hospital, the university teaching hospital, after a memorandum of understanding for the Medical School project was signed on the 6th December 2016.
Ivan Naijuka, from the University PR office feels elated by the news and says it gives more pride to the university now that it has been accepted to run a medical school.
“This shows to the public shows the public our excellence as a university,” he says. Naijuka adds that the news gives more pride to the alumni, staff and the students of the university to be among the few institutions of learning that have medical schools.
National councils has also re-accredited 5 other courses of the university. “Bachelor of Computer Sciences, Bachelor of Economics and Management, Bachelor of Public Administration and Management, Bachelor of Information and Technology, and Diploma in Project Planning Management.”
