Explore Two Shifts, Makerere

Jul 18, 2002

MAKERERE UNIVERSITY is set to admit 3,000 more students on the private sponsorship in the coming academic year.

MAKERERE UNIVERSITY is set to admit 3,000 more students on the private sponsorship in the coming academic year.This would bring the total of potential admissions to 15,000, an increase of over 20%.But it is questionable whether Makerere has the capacity to absorb so many more students. As it stands, the university’s infrastructure is already stretched. Lecture rooms are congested, the libraries cannot meet student and staff demands, academic and other support staff is hopelessly overwhelmed by the numbers.The sheer numbers are too big for an institution that was designed for a few hundred but, while expanding, has not grown commensurate to the actual figures.Makerere has done well in the last few years to give more Ugandans an opportunity to get a university education. It has been at the forefront of innovativeness in increasing capacity, expanding services and generating revenues outside of traditional sources. The private student scheme has especially helped faculty finances that have gone into remuneration and construction.But this initiative has in many cases been hamstrung by inadequate planning, with the result that academic standards have been compromised. Makerere will only be able to compete, in the long run, on its tradition of high standards. If these are compromised, so would the institution’s future.Makerere should consider running a two-shift system. Instead of the university closing entirely for holidays, one set of students commences study when the other finishes their term/semester. Alternatively some faculties can be relocated from the main campus to create room. For instance the faculty of agriculture can be transferred to Kabanyolo. In the long term Makerere should also consider putting up new structures on its idle large piece of land opposite Mulago Hospital. Makerere needs to be more creative to accommodate the growing intake.Ends

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