Vienna College Namugongo has honoured the legacy of its late director and renowned economist Chris Kassami by introducing an annual award for the school’s best-performing Economics student.
The Chris Kassami Memorial Economics Award was unveiled on Tuesday during the release of the school’s Cambridge examination results, with Heath Mulondo Walugembe becoming the first recipient after scoring 91 per cent in Economics.
Walugembe edged out three other students who each scored 90 per cent, Kigundu Abdulrahman, Twesige Melody Kukundakwe and Amia Rihanna Adubangu.
The award was established in memory of Kassami, who served as one of the directors of Vienna College Namugongo before his death in 2016.
Kassami, a celebrated economist, had during his lifetime pledged to recognise the student who achieved the highest mark in Economics at the school with an award and Shs1 million in cash.
A video played during Tuesday’s ceremony showed Kassami explaining his passion for Economics and his desire to encourage students to take the subject seriously.
He jokingly described himself as being “a little bit selfish as an Economist” as he announced his intention to reward the school’s top Economics student.
Speaking at the ceremony, Jassi Kassami, Chris Kassami’s son and a director at Vienna College, said the award provides a fitting way to preserve his father’s contribution to the school and his passion for Economics.
Jassi thanked the school administration, led by Principal Muhammed Kakiika, for reviving the initiative.
“Besides just Economics, we hope to award students in other subjects as well,” he said.
Principal Kakiika confirmed that the award will be presented annually to the student who achieves the highest mark in Economics.
The winner will receive an accolade alongside Shs1 million in cash.
Kakiika also praised the school’s teaching staff for their role in preparing students for the Cambridge examinations, noting that the strong performance was not limited to Economics.
He said students also registered impressive results in the sciences, attributing the performance to the commitment of both teachers and learners throughout the academic year.
The school said the annual award will not only celebrate academic excellence but also keep Kassami’s passion for Economics alive by encouraging more students to excel in the subject.
