Over 1,432 students graduated in different disciplines at Nkumba University during a function held on Saturday at the main campus in Katabi town council, Wakiso district.

Out of the total number of graduands, 782 females were passed out, comprising 54.6%. Five students were awarded PhDs, 103 learners attained Master's degrees and 87 succeeded with Postgraduate degrees.

889 students attained degrees, while 238 were awarded diplomas and 110 graduated with certificates during a function that attracted a mammoth of parents, learners and leaders.

Emmanuel Katongole (left), Nkumba University chancellor with Fabrice Rulinda (centre) the Entebbe municipality mayor and Prof. Jude Lubega among other guests during the 24th graduation at Nkumba university. (Photo by Julius Luwemba)

While conferring the degrees, diplomas and certificates onto the graduands, Emmanuel Katongole, the university chancellor, challenged those who were passed out to identify their competencies beyond what was taught in class. "If you wish to stand out and excel in your career, you must practice capacity-building at all times," Katongole implored.

He talked about the Chancellor's Innovation Initiative (CII) which was launched on Thursday at a function that preceded the graduation ceremony, and where the new vice-chancellor was installed.

According to Katongole, the CII programme is to support and encourage innovators to actively and collaboratively contribute to the transformation of Uganda's economy. The programme aims at nurturing novelty and creative thinking within all fields taught at the university.

Emmanuel Katongole, the chancellor for Nkumba University conferring a degree of directorate of philosophy to Ruth Kikome during the graduation ceremony at Nkumba University. (Photo by Julius Luwemba)

"We want to provide a platform, more facilities and mentorship to our students and alumni to experiment on ideas that will solve real-world problems," the chancellor explained, adding that CII is the first of its kind in Uganda where the industry is being brought into academia to drive the translation of ideas into innovations. He donated US$10,000 towards the programme.

Prof. Jude Lubega, the newly installed vice-chancellor, said the number of graduands could have been higher, but the COVID-19 pandemic deterred other students from completing their studies on time.

He talked about the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the university and Stanbic business incubator, innovation village among several other partners which will foster the CII programme. Students shall be required to write proposals and submit them for consideration and funding under the new initiative.

Emmanuel Katongole, the Nkumba University chancellor awarding a degree of doctorate of philosophy in natural resource management, conservation science to Tadeo Rusoke during the graduation ceremony. (Photo by Julius Luwemba)

"Many of the changes are driven by the Fourth industrial revolution where we are getting dependent on data and intelligent computing to run operations in our businesses, education, governance among others," he noted, adding that studies show, by 2030, intelligent agents and robots could replace as much as 30% of the World's current human labour.

"These statistics should not shake you but rather prepare you," implored the vice-chancellor.

Ben Kamya, the secretary board of trustees noted that whereas technology has led to increasing concerns of privacy, ownership and management of information, he urged graduands to ensure proficiency in knowledge, skills, values and attitudes for dealing with real-life situations as they go into the world of the fourth industrial revolution.

New Vision Journalist Henry Sekanjako (wearing glasses) with colleagues who graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Diplomacy. (Photo by Julius Luwemba)

In similar regard, Frank Kiyingi, the academic registrar, advised graduands to use social media platforms to display self-marketing strategies that will convince potential employers.

Nkumba University's 24th graduation was held under the theme, 'Academic excellence for practical competencies in the fourth industrial revolution.'