Govt reviews varsity admission
Jan 21, 2005
THE Cabinet has approved a proposal by the education and sports ministry to review the admission of government-sponsored students into public universities, outgoing minister Khidu Makubuya said yesterday. The new policy gives science courses priority over the arts and takes effect next academic year
By Fortunate Ahimbisibwe & Emma Wafula
THE Cabinet has approved a proposal by the education and sports ministry to review the admission of government-sponsored students into public universities, outgoing minister Khidu Makubuya said yesterday. The new policy gives science courses priority over the arts and takes effect next academic year.
Makubuya said 75% of government scholarships would go to courses regarded as critical to Uganda’s development. The courses are mainly science-based.
“Just 25% of scholarships will go to bright but needy children and will be open to all disciplines,†Makubuya said. This means that out of the 4,000 students sponsored by the Government, 3,000 will be admitted to science-based disciplines, leaving hundreds to compete for the remaining 1,000 scholarships.
Dr. Makubuya, now the minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs and Attorney General, was handing over the education ministry to his successor Namirembe Bitamazire at the ministry headquarters in Kampala.
Permanent Secretary Francis Lubanga told The New Vision he would soon write to the vice-chancellors of the four public universities, Makerere Mbarara, Kyambogo and Gulu, about the new guidelines.
He said, “We are still working on the guidelines. The policy is likely to be effective in the coming academic year. We are still holding final consultations before I write to the vice-chancellors,†he added.
The “critical†course are electronic applications, communication engineering, computer science, bio-informatics, telecommunication engineering, human medicine, pharmacy and dental surgery, surveying, statistics, science education, accounting, business administration and management, agriculture, geology, civil, mechanical and electrical engineering, veterinary medicine, astronomy, law, mathematics, physics. Others are bio-sciences, interpretation and translation, quantitative economics, mass communication, forestry and nature conservation, catering and hotel management and education.
Makubuya asked Bitamazire to resolve the wrangle between Makerere University and the Nakawa-based business school.
“The disagreements between these two have been discussed in Parliament and in the Cabinet.
Recent Cabinet decisions on this matter need to be followed up and implemented,†he said.
He also called for the support of the National Council for Higher Education in its efforts to streamline the licensing and supervision of the private tertiary institutions and private universities.
Bitamazire said she would put emphasis on access, equity and quality education.
THE Cabinet has approved a proposal by the education and sports ministry to review the admission of government-sponsored students into public universities, outgoing minister Khidu Makubuya said yesterday. The new policy gives science courses priority over the arts and takes effect next academic year.
Makubuya said 75% of government scholarships would go to courses regarded as critical to Uganda’s development. The courses are mainly science-based.
“Just 25% of scholarships will go to bright but needy children and will be open to all disciplines,†Makubuya said. This means that out of the 4,000 students sponsored by the Government, 3,000 will be admitted to science-based disciplines, leaving hundreds to compete for the remaining 1,000 scholarships.
Dr. Makubuya, now the minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs and Attorney General, was handing over the education ministry to his successor Namirembe Bitamazire at the ministry headquarters in Kampala.
Permanent Secretary Francis Lubanga told The New Vision he would soon write to the vice-chancellors of the four public universities, Makerere Mbarara, Kyambogo and Gulu, about the new guidelines.
He said, “We are still working on the guidelines. The policy is likely to be effective in the coming academic year. We are still holding final consultations before I write to the vice-chancellors,†he added.
The “critical†course are electronic applications, communication engineering, computer science, bio-informatics, telecommunication engineering, human medicine, pharmacy and dental surgery, surveying, statistics, science education, accounting, business administration and management, agriculture, geology, civil, mechanical and electrical engineering, veterinary medicine, astronomy, law, mathematics, physics. Others are bio-sciences, interpretation and translation, quantitative economics, mass communication, forestry and nature conservation, catering and hotel management and education.
Makubuya asked Bitamazire to resolve the wrangle between Makerere University and the Nakawa-based business school.
“The disagreements between these two have been discussed in Parliament and in the Cabinet.
Recent Cabinet decisions on this matter need to be followed up and implemented,†he said.
He also called for the support of the National Council for Higher Education in its efforts to streamline the licensing and supervision of the private tertiary institutions and private universities.
Bitamazire said she would put emphasis on access, equity and quality education.