The Rector of Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU), Dr Ahmad Kawesa Ssengendo has urged students of Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU) to prepare for life after the novel coronavirus pandemic. Dr Ssengendo made the remarks on Thursday during Zoom Meeting with officials of Islamic University Students Union (IUSU) Government.
Dr Ssengendo says students should find activities that should keep them busy to avoid mental health that may be caused due to depression, anxiety and stress among others especially for International students who are mostly just saying on the campus.
“Think of activities to keep yourself busy to avoid mental health as it was highlighted by World Health Organization (WHO) that mental health may rise in post COVID-19 world. You can be doing Quiz and debate online and reciting Qur’an to make yourself mentally fit,”
“There should be physical distancing not social distancing. Students should be socially and spiritually interacting. Prepare yourself for life after COVID-19,” Dr Ssengendo says.
He says the students and staff of the Institution must have hope that one day God will take away the pandemic among the human race.
“COVID-19 is not likely to go away soon. It may be with us for many years ahead but God will take it away among us. The disease is dangerous because it is vicious and it is everywhere. Post COVID-19 world will have effects that will last for some years. For instance, some schools will not fully recover, some students will not continue with their studies and many people will be retrenched among others due to the economic disruptions that COVID-19 is causing ,”
“Don’t loose hope. Be united and continue following all the precautionary measures set by Government. We are in this fight together and we will help our students and staff during and after the pandemic,” Dr Ssengendo says.
In his remarks, Islamic University Students Union Guild President Welunga Yusuf asked the Institution to be lenient when the school reopens on zero balance policy that emphasizes on sitting for examinations after paying full tuition especially for final year students.
“I am requesting the University to be lenient on zero balance policy when school reopens since many parents have no money due the pandemic. The university may allow students especially the finalists to sit for examinations with balances and they will square out in a timeframe that you will give them,” he says.
Among other top administrators of the institution who participated in the meeting include Vice Rector (Finance and Administration), Professor Abdul Mpaata, Academic Registrar Dr Halima Wakabi Akbar and University Coordinator Dr Kabali Sulaiti.
