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FORT PORTAL - Fresh graduates from Uganda Pentecostal University have been advised to embrace digital age by being innovative and not only thinking about what was taught to them in class in order to fit the competitive world of employment.

Micheal Nyitegeka, the director of Re-factory Ltd at Clarke International University, who is also ICDL Africa country manager for Uganda, made the remarks before the 382 students who graduated in different disciplines at the Uganda Pentecostal University on Saturday, February 17, 2024, in Fort Portal city.

Nyitegeka said even when he had no qualification in Information technology (IT), he managed to run a software academy at Clarke International University to address the unemployment gap among the many, and of now, over 600 people have benefitted.

"What you have acquired has no sense to the reality outside the world and, therefore, there is need for those who have graduated to remain hungry for knowledge since only those with capability will be given audience in the job world," Nyitegeka said.

Embrace AI

Nyitegeka highlighted the impact of Artificial Intelligence having a limit in controlling human intelligence and a need to embrace it.

"To fit in this competitive job market one must either be a software maker or user since different institutions including banks are swiftly turning to technology companies and, therefore, no one should be static but strengthen to navigate the frontward of tomorrow's time," Nyitegeka added.

Vision Group's Jonan Tusingwire (2nd R) was among the graduands. (All Photos by Doreen Nasiima)

Kabarole district LC5 chairperson Richard Rwabuhinga narrated about the competitiveness and too many standards where everyone must position themselves with the best requirements to outstand others.

"The sky is no longer the limit in this digital era and so paper qualifications acquired today aren't enough but better to pick other paper applications for a step higher because in academia one can never be satisfied," Rwabuhinga said.

Take advantage of the obstacles

Security minisiter Maj. Gen. Jim Muhwezi, who was the chief guest, told the graduates to be ready to take advantage of the chances and overcome the obstacles that lie in the domain like big data, distributed ledger, and Artificial intelligence that the digital era has created for development and innovation.

"Technology has completely changed the way we talk, work, and live. So, one needs to be ready to accept and adjust to the changing environment as we approach the don for the new age," Muhwezi said.

He added that as the Government is transforming to fighting criminality using trackers like body cameras for government officials, Police, and tax collectors as a way of fighting corruption and bribery, graduates need to be brave by embracing AI for a brighter future.

He, however, advised the graduates to be more conscious of dividend difficulties like cybercrime and navigator breaches the new hazards and threats that have merged with digital era.

"There is need to be more proactive in protecting digital infrastructure by priotising cybersecurity and striving towards creating a safe and resilient digital ecosystem as aspiring leaders and professionals," Muhwezi said.