Institutions of higher learning have been ordered to review their curricula and refocus their programmes on skills that are relevant in the fourth industrial revolution.
Prof Mary Okwakol, the executive director of the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE), cited science, technology, engineering and mathematics as some of the most sought-after fourth industrial revolution (4IR) skills with high employment prospects.
She gave her remarks during their second higher education conference under the theme ‘Higher Education and Private Sector Engagement; Preparing Uganda’s Human Capital for the Fourth Industrial Revolution.’
“We can longer ignore how technology is impacting the way we live, work and conduct business. The fourth industrial revolution technologies such as internet of things, robotics, virtual reality and artificial intelligence are changing the way we live and work,” Prof Okwakol said.
“Such technologies are integrated in all aspects of life such as health, agriculture, education and engineering. The public needs to embrace these changes and adequately prepare the human capital for the fourth industrial revolution,” she added.
Prof Eli Katunguka, the NCHE chairperson, noted that although a number of institutions of higher learning are coming up, they are still not enough to meet the growing demand.
He added that the Council is concerned about the quality of education being offered in institutions of higher learning and asked the stakeholders to urgently review their curricula to meet society’s fast changing demands.
