Valley University of Science and Technology (VUST) has reached a historic milestone as the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) has cleared it for the grant of a Charter. This decision was made during the council’s 78th sitting on January 31, 2025, in accordance with Section 105(3) of the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act CAP 262.
According to an official letter from NCHE, the Council resolved to recommend the grant of Charter to the Minister of Education and Sports, who will then submit it to the President for final approval before the gazettement of the University’s charter status. This marks a major step in VUST’s journey toward achieving full accreditation and recognition as a fully chartered University in Uganda.
The clearance for a charter is a significant achievement that demonstrates VUST’s commitment to academic excellence, good governance, and adherence to National and International higher education standards. The process leading to this milestone has been rigorous, requiring the University to meet stringent requirements set by NCHE, including high-quality teaching, research capacity and strong administrative structures.
Speaking on this remarkable achievement, Dr. Enos Rwasheema, the Vice Chancellor of Valley University of Science and Technology, expressed his excitement and gratitude to all stakeholders who contributed to this success.
“This is a proud moment for Valley University of Science and Technology. Achieving charter status demonstrates our commitment to quality education, research, and community engagement. We have worked tirelessly to meet the NCHE requirements, and this recognition affirms our position as a leading institution of higher learning in Uganda. We now look forward to the final steps in this process,” Dr. Rwasheema said.
The news has been received with great excitement by students, staff and alumni, as it marks the University’s elevation to a new level of academic credibility and operational independence.
A University Charter is the highest level of accreditation granted to an institution in Uganda. It signifies that the University has met all the legal, academic, financial, and administrative standards set by the government and NCHE. Attaining a charter comes with several key benefits.
First, it grants the University greater autonomy in academic program development, governance, and decision-making, allowing it to expand and enhance its educational offerings for example running PhD programmes. With charter status, degrees from Valley University of Science and Technology gain greater national and international recognition, increasing the competitiveness of its graduates in the job market.
Additionally, charter status boosts the University’s appeal to potential students, staff and funding partners, as it demonstrates a high level of academic and administrative excellence. It also enables the institution to expand its research capacity and attract collaborations with other chartered universities, both within and beyond Uganda.
Students joining VUST can apply to benefit from the government loan scheme.
As the University awaits this final step, the leadership of VUST remains committed to upholding the highest standards of academic excellence, innovation, and service to the community. The journey toward a Charter has been long and demanding, but this achievement is a testament to the university’s resilience and dedication to higher education.
This is indeed a historic moment for Valley University of Science and Technology. The dream of becoming a fully chartered university is now within reach, setting the stage for even greater opportunities and achievements in the years ahead. Congratulations to the entire VUST community!
BY AGABA ANDREW
VALLEY UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
