University Quiz sponsors applaud initiative, commit further support
I want to thank the Vision Group for being visionary because we know that our population is 75% young people who are either in universities or secondary schools. So, the future is no longer yours; you are managing the present. You can't manage the present if you are not informed.
Lyn Tukei, head of public relations and communication Capital Markets Authority (CMA), and the executive director of NEMA, Dr. Barirega Akankwasah. (Credit: Miriam Namutebi)
Dr Barirega Akankwasah (All Photos by Miriam Namutebi) Emmanuel Nwoyomba Lyn Tukei Godfrey Mutabazi Ibrahim Manzil Sam Hooper
KAMPALA - The third edition of the brain-teasing competition, University Ultimate Quiz, concluded on Thursday, with Uganda Christian University (UCU) officially claiming the bragging rights as the champion after defeating Ndejje University in the finals.
New Vision’s Nelson Kiva spoke to the sponsors about the competition, and below is what they said.
Dr Barirega Akankwasah, executive director of National Environment Management Authority (NEMA)
I want to thank the Vision Group for being visionary because we know that our population is 75% young people who are either in universities or secondary schools. So, the future is no longer yours; you are managing the present. You can't manage the present if you are not informed.
In the Ultimate University Quiz, I see it as a platform for advancing knowledge, which is essential for the socio-economic transformation of our nation. I come from an institution that promotes sound management of the environment and sustainable development. We cannot attain sound management of the environment and sustainable development without knowledge.
This platform delivers our mission, and we shall continue to partner with you. I want to congratulate all the participants in all categories, and of course, more selfishly, in the Ozone segment, because those are looking at the actual gist of the environment, which includes everything.
Ozone layer is something that is not normally talked about, but it's really our shield up there in the stratosphere. Without it, we would have cataracts, our crops would not yield, we would have unnecessary cancers, and so many other things. So, we must know what causes Ozone layer depletion and avoid it.
The world is actually making milestones in healing the Ozone layer. The scientists are telling us that by 2040 to 2066, if we remain on course, we may have actually completely healed the Ozone hole. So, the Montreal Protocol is considered the most successful maritime environment agreement that we have on earth today.
Emmanuel Nwoyomba, the acting director of corporate affairs of the Uganda Communication Commission
I believe that Season Four will also have the support of the Uganda Communications Commission. Allow me to begin by congratulating the Vision Group on this milestone, with three successful seasons now completed. The University Quiz has come of age.
This is a moment of pride, not only for Vision Group, but for all of us in the communication sector. As Uganda Communications Commission, we take great pride in associating with Vision Group; we consider ourselves sister organisations. We have a shared mission to inform, empower and uplift Ugandans through communications.
It is, therefore, befitting, that we stand together today in support of an initiative that showcases the intellectual talent and communication skills of our young people. UCC's participation in the university quiz is driven by our conviction that the benefits for students are immense.
This quiz challenges young people to think deeply, quickly and broadly. Such skills are essential not only for academic success but for navigating life beyond university. The quiz also offers a valuable platform for engaging young people. Young people are a critical mass of our population.
Lyn Tukei, head of public relations and communication Capital Markets Authority (CMA)
Why we decided to come into partnership with Vision Group is that at the heart of Capital Markets is really education. The Capital Markets Authority is mandated by the government of Uganda to carry out investment in education, regulate and develop the capital markets products.
So, we have a number of products that many people do not know about, and this can be taken up from youth levels. And we are looking at people who have just started saving, you know, to increase their savings culture.
We are looking at unique trust schemes, for example, where you can start to invest from as low as sh10,000 with our licensed intermediaries. So, because we know that you start the culture of saving and investing at a young age, that's why we thought it proper to come on board and partner. With these university students going to be our ambassadors for investment, many of us may have funds that we do not know how to invest wisely.
So, my key takeaway from the competition is to move capital market education to high schools and every other class of people who could appreciate the capital market products.
Godfrey Mutabazi, director Net Studios Africa
I decided to be part of the sponsors of this quiz because it is a good programme, very educational and very popular all over the world. Whichever country you go to, be it the UK or the USA, they have that kind of programme. Secondly, I like the creative industry.
Any country that does not have a creative industry cannot develop technologically. When I listened to the questions and answers you put to these young girls and boys, I was amazed at the level of awareness, education and capability of our younger Ugandans.
So, I'm proud, and I will always be proud to be part of the sponsors because this is a program that must be expanded to sharpen our youth, that are the majority of this country and won't shape our nation.
Ibrahim Manzil, senior information officer, Parliament of Uganda:
The reason Parliament chose to participate in the Ultimate Quiz is because it aligns well with the objectives of running a Parliament, which is based, founded on members who are articulate, who are agile, who are witty, and who have the ability to convey their constituency’s needs and aspirations in Parliament.
As you know, representation is one of the core mandates of Parliament, and we have so many members of Parliament and there is such a short time allocated to each to make their point.
So, if we treat this as a refinery of the future Members of Parliament, who are armed with the correct tools of trade to succeed in a setting such as Parliament in future, because you have maybe a minute or two or three to make your point, and it gives them the ability to convey their constituencies' needs in the shortest time possible and also effectively.
I think this is really one of the finest things to have ever happened to the students of Uganda. I just wish more universities could take part because these are some of the skills that can give you an advantage in the highly competitive world. What Vision Group is doing is really noble and it is the right thing to do. It is the right effort to put in place to support these young people with those skills which are crucial for them to succeed in the real world.
Sam Hooper, head of marketing Hariss International Krystal Premium Water
The Ultimate University Quiz is a fantastic opportunity where you can see Uganda's brilliant minds tussling it out to see in the test of knowledge. For us, it's in line with our vision as an organisation.
Harris aims to be the best and most admired beverage and Food Company in Africa, and for us to achieve that, we shall need people, and we must interact, we must recruit the best talent, we must encourage platforms or support platforms like this where young people can develop and show their capability. And overall, it is just a fantastic opportunity for us.
We are very committed to supporting the Ultimate University challenge. This is the second year we have partnered with the Vision Group. And kudos to Vision Group and all the other partners. And as Krystal Mineral Water, we are committed to continuing our partnership and seeing this grow to greater heights.