Why Makerere should restructure collegiate system and return to faculty arrangement

May 01, 2017

Many programmes and courses have been introduced, phased out and re-introduced.

By Enock Kibuuka

Makerere University over the years has gone through various administrative restructuring and remodelling of study programmes, seething with forces of globalisation and internationalisation of university education.

Many programmes and courses have been introduced, phased out and re-introduced, all in the name of providing the best education in Africa and the world at large. Alas, the quality of education provided by Ugandan universities, including Makerere has conspicuously remained in the firing line but such may be taken with caution.

In a bid to improve the quality of management and administration, or whatever the reasons were, Makerere introduced the collegiate system in 2011 during Prof. Baryamureba's reign as the vice-chancellor. Unfortunately, in real sense of a collegiate university, Makerere is not anywhere near to its meaning and that is why a lot of woes and pandemonium have become the order of the day at Makerere.

A Collegiate university is one in which the governing authority and functions are divided between the central administration and a number of constituent colleges. The division of powers in a collegiate university is realised in the form of a "federation", analogous to the geopolitical arrangement in which a country comprises member regions and a central government.

A collegiate university differs from a centralised university in that its colleges are not just "halls of residence"; rather, they have a substantial amount of responsibility and autonomy in the running of the university.

The actual level of self-governance exercised by the colleges varies greatly among institutions, ranging from nearly autonomous colleges to dependent colleges that are integrated with the central administration itself. Often, but not always, colleges within collegiate universities have their own specific students' unions.

How do the Colleges operate? Each College is an autonomous institution with its own property and income and has its own governing body that runs it and decides on policy. The colleges appoint their own staff and are responsible for selecting undergraduate students, in accordance with the university regulations.

As each college operates autonomously and chooses its own members, this very much defines its character. The collegiate structure gives a strong sense of academic community. The colleges should be a medieval innovation that allow the university to grow as a national, then regional (such as East Africa) and perhaps an international force and yet remain a supportive environment for scholars and students.

Within each college, academics and students of all disciplines are brought together, encouraging a cross-fertilisation and free exchange of ideas.

The central administration or main university has the duty to confer degrees. Independent colleges vary in the level of teaching that they provide, but they may create positions independently from the university and may provide their own funding for research. They also tend to play a large role in deciding admissions.

Students become members of the university through membership in their particular colleges and matriculation is often done through, or at the behest of, the colleges. Colleges often have their own halls for meals, libraries, sports teams and societies. This fosters loyalty to the college among its students. This spirit is often maintained through college-based alumni organisations.

In essence, you would say that Makerere has only one College - Makerere University Business School (MUBS). But the artificial collegiate system claimed to be at Makerere, I can contend, was not well thought of and I am sure for now, Makerere University lacks the resources (both financial and human) to become a Collegiate University in its real meaning. It should restructure back to the faculty level.

The writer is a teacher at Gayaza High School

 

 

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