Last week, Uganda Martyrs university (UMU) held it’s 11th Annual Research Conference at it’s main campus in Nkozi, Mpigi district under the theme ‘’Innovating, Teaching and Learning for higher education in changing times’’.
The conference was graced by the University Vice Chancellor Pof John C Maviiri and the coordinator of the Centre for excellence in teaching and learning at Daystar University in Nairobi Kenya, Dr Chip Kingsbury plus other invited guests and researchers from other institutions.
As he was opening the conference, Prof Maviiri urged all universities to focus on teaching research-oriented topics in various courses as the only way to equip students with skills that will be beneficial to them after completing their studies.
‘’Students should be equipped with critical thinking skills to aid them become better students, prepare for the challenges and opportunities of the future. Research is the only way through which students will be able to discover and evaluate, knowledge, and skills that will determine their future’’ He said in his speech.
Prof Maviiri also believes when students are equipped with research skills, that they will be able to solve any challenge that comes along their way. Dr Chip Kingsbury said that Africa’s education system was intended to make students focus on passing examinations than concentrating on what they want to be in the nearby future.
