ACADEMICS

The International University of East Africa (IUEA) has churned out a set of over 500 fresh graduates to the outside world, with a call for them to be courageous and confident as they strive to make the world a better place.

"This is indeed a great day of our graduating class of 2021 because we are going to witness them being empowered into the future," said Amb. Moses Kiwe Sebunya, the chairperson of the IUEA University Council, during the institution's 8th graduation ceremony on Thursday at the main campus in Kansanga, Kampala.

The university hierarchy was well represented on a day of pure celebration, marked by inspiring speeches, electrifying performances and memorable photo moments.

The graduation ceremony started with a procession

Sebunya conveyed the university's faith that the latest group to advance from IUEA will "transform the world and make it a better place to stay".

"You have been empowered with knowledge to become independent thinkers with innovative and creative minds in order to be able to find solutions to the problems facing the business world.

"You are encouraged to be able to have your own opinion and stand by it. Embrace courage and confidence when going into the world. Remember that the world depends on you, and so do not doubt your thoughts," he told the graduates.

Sebunya was also the stand-in Chancellor for the event, with Prof. Emmanuel Tumusiime Mutebile unable to attend.

Ambassador Moses Kiwe Sebunya, the chairperson of the IUEA university council

The function was attended by some in person and others remotely, an arrangement aimed at keeping the physical numbers at a minimum, at a time when the coronavirus is still lurking around.

IUEA is a private university established in 2010, and its graduation this year was aptly themed: Rethinking university education in a post-COVID era.

The 529-strong graduating cohort were awarded degrees and diplomas, with Charlotte Atwiine from the Faculty of Business and Management announced as the overall best-performing graduate. Other top performers in the faculties of law, engineering, and science & technology were also recognized on a memorable day.

The university also launched the IUEA Emerging Technology Park.

Charlotte Atwiine (left) was the best-performing graduate overall

The hybrid nature of this graduation edition provided a stark reminder of the murky waters that education, like all other sectors, have struggled to negotiate in the last 20 months due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which swept into Uganda in March 2020.

But, crucially, the ceremony also underlined the resilience of academic institutions, which had to adapt by shifting instruction to the online space in the wake of the closure of schools in the first and second waves in the country.

"With or without COVID, learming must continue," said George Mutekanga, the commissioner of private schools and institutions in the education ministry.

"However, this comes with a number of challenges, which we must look at," he added, talking of the need to go back to the drawing board - to replan and restrategize on how best to handle the COVID-related challenges.

It was a hybrid function, attended physically and virtually

In his delivery, Mutekanga told the guests that to navigate through the new normal, every student should be suitably equipped, including having gadgets like a laptop, to enable them to attend lessons regularly.

In his last two addresses to the nation, President Yoweri Museveni emphasized that schools in Uganda will reopen in January 2022, as crosscountry efforts towards having as many Ugandans vaccinated against the coronavirus as possible continue.

The economy will also reopen to full-throttle activity, came the President's assurance. This means the night economy is expected to rise back to life again after a long hibernation.

The function was punctuated by lively cultural performances

'Unique opportunity for something new'

In the midst of the scheduled transition back to physical schooling, there is a push to change the way the education system should move on post-COVID.

IUEA Vice-Chancellor Prof. Emeka Akaezuwa said the pandemic has been an inflection point that has had a dramatic, topsy-turvy impact on human life.

And that if we accept the new normal, then "we must work towards not a resumption from where we left off pre-pandemic, but rather a rethinking, re-envisioning, and reimagining of education in the post-COVID era".

IUEA Vice-Chancellor Prof. Emeka Akaezuwa

"The pandemic, therefore, gives university administrators, policymakers and government agencies responsible for regulating education the critical and unique learning opportunity to do something new - something that is aligned with the future," said Akaezuwa.

During the ceremony, Dicson Okumu, the chairperson of the Human Resource and Appointments Committee of the University Council, announced the promotion of Dr. Akaezuwa to Professor of Information and Computer Science.

"As the transition to online studies have shown, the need to elevate information infrastructure to a national priority cannot be ignored  if we want to provide equitable access to education across the country. We need to view ICT as part of the education infrastructure," said the vice-chancellor.

"If education is to be equitable post-pandemic, affordabilty of devices needed for online studies is key. As of today, many students do not have stable access to the internet with sufficient bandwidth to accommodate online learning.

"Our current educational practices will still rely solely on hand-holding. The new normal will require independent remote working skills and independent problem-solving skills. Universities must work this into their curricula and way of thinking, and their way of grooming the next generation."

While the pandemic has pummeled many factors of the economy hard, Akaezuwa is firm that education must be accorded priority.

"Education must be seen in a special light and be given the financial assistance they need to bounce back. This consideration is deserved because education develops the country's economy and society," he said.

Education ministry official Mutekanga delivered greetings from education and sports minister and First Lady Janet Museveni, and state minister for higher education Dr. John Chrysestom Muyingo.

While he addmitted that local digital learning is rocked by data challenges, he assured that they are working out a solution.

"We are talking to service providers. As Government, we are coming up with a strategy - a policy on information, communications and management, which is still in the process."

Mutekanga said school staff must be trained on how to manage online classes, including giving timely feedback to students and their guardians. He also said parents should be supported on how to monitor their children's school progress.

'Tomorrow belongs to you'

Meanwhile, the guest speaker of the event delivered his message remotely - all the way from Germany.

"Your personal wellbeing and your professional career depend on a solid education, said Prof. Dr. Michael Koch, the head of international affairs at the SRH University Heidelberg in southwestern Germany.

"New paths will open up for you, which will lead to further opportunities in life.

"As Albert Einstein remarked so truly, Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school. As successful graduates, you are now prepared for the future and for tomorrow. Tomorrow belongs to you.

"Take advantage of this opportunity and make the most of it."

Koch was keen to highlight the challenging realities the pandemic has created globally, highlighting how Germany and Europe are going through a fourth wave of COVID-19 infections.

"You have graduated during some troubling times not only for Uganda, but for the entire world. (...) Lockdowns are now back on the political agenda and many schools and universities will have to close their doors again. This is going to disadvantage, once more, too many students, depriving them of the opportunity to  interact with fellow students and to progress in their studies," said the professor of economics and sustainability.

"Students have already lost many years from lockdowns, and some may never be able to return to complete their education. The fallout from the pandemic threatens to depress this generation's prospects and constrict their opportunities into the future."

"This global pandemic has taken a heavy toll not only on students, but also on the academic institutions themselves.  Universities have lost billions of shillings and dollars from foregone fees," added Koch.

"Therefore, universities have to react. They have to rebuild. More specifically, they must get ready to face a more digital learning environment. University education needs a true rethinking in a post-COVID-19 era."

The guest speaker said universities need to adjust the way they operate, in a way similar to how businesses are balancing home and office working by applying digital interventions.

"Knowledge and information can be transported well, and sometimes more effectively, through online channels. Many workers may not return to their office environment at all, and will mostly work from home in the future. Others may combine office and home-based work on a permanent basis.  

"The same type of digital change is equally required now at universities. Despite their lack of revenue due to the lockdown and lost income, there is a need for universities to invest in new online platforms," said Koch.

Meanwhile, World Boxing Federation All-Africa heavyweight champion Shafik Kiwanuka (in white) is a celebrated IUEA sporting export. He was among those recognized on Thursday, and received a sportsmanship award.

Celebrated IUEA sporting export, boxer Shafik Kiwanuka (in white)

'You save the world'

The university's guild president, James Ukemeobong Okon, told the fresh graduates that theirs is "the beginning of the fruits of your financial labour - the beginning of great things to come".

"You saved the world by deciding to adapt to the online learning system. You saved the world by obeying the standard operating procedures."

"Today, I see heroes who are not only graduating after completing their university education, but heroes who have overcome the toughest phase of our century [coronavirus pandemic]," said Okon, a Nigerian national.

As they step out in the outside world to become architects of their own lives, the students' leader urged the new graduates to "make responsible decisions, dream big, work hard, avoid overthinking and become problem solvers".

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📷  Here are more pictures from the function:

The security checkpoint at the IUEA main campus in Kansanga was busy . . .

These energetic entertainers led the way for the procession . . .

It was a warm Thursday morning filled with smiles, dance and a kaleidoescope of colours . . .

The anthems were sung . . .

Electrifying performances were part of the programme . . .

Job well done. On to the next!

This is how to celebrate the fruits of your academic labour . . .

The best performers in the different faculties were recognized . . .

The launch of the IUEA Emerging Technology Park . . .

Board member Hassan Alwi (second from right) was in attendance, as was education ministry official George Mutekanga (right) . . .

And to crown it all . . . the cutting of the cake!