Government okays two UCU medical courses

EDUCATION

The government of Uganda, according to a statement from Uganda Christian University (UCU), has accredited two medical programs to be run by Uganda Christian University.

The Vice Chancellor, Rev. Canon Dr. John Senyonyi said, in a statement, "It is with joy and utmost gratitude to God for me to announce that on Monday, March 12, we received from the National Council for Higher Education the letter of accreditation for the programmes to be offered by UCU."

He singled out the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, Bachelor of Dental Surgery adding, "Henceforth UCU will be training medical doctors and dentists."

The accreditation of the above academic program is communicated in a letter dated February 26, 2018 from Prof. Opuda Asibo, the executive director National Council for Higher Education to Uganda Christian University.

It announces accreditation of six new academic courses and re-accreditation of five other existing courses.

The new courses are; Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, Bachelor of Dental Surgery, Bachelor of Development Economics, Bachelor of Project Planning & Management, Bachelor of Public Health and Diploma in Procurement & Logistics Management.

The university's communications and marketing manager Michael Mubangizi said the academic programmes that have been re-accredited are Bachelor of Computer Science, Bachelor of Economics and Management, and Bachelor of Public Administration & Management. Others are Bachelor of Science in Information Technology and Diploma in Project Planning Management.

The medical courses are in line with the university policy of ensuring that science students comprise at least 30% of all total enrolment at UCU at all times.

The accreditation of the Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery alongside existing science courses will cement the place of science and technology in the academic terrain of UCU, which has mainly been known for its success in liberal and social Arts.

Senyonyi thanked UCU partners and Church of Uganda leaders led by His Grace, the Archbishop and Chancellor of UCU The Most Rev. Stanley Ntagali, saying that he was very instrumental in bringing UCU and Mengo Hospital to start the UCU School of Medicine.

The UCU School of Medicine will be run by UCU in conjunction with Mengo Hospital.

Both UCU and Mengo Hospital are founded by the Church of Uganda and have a long-built track record of quality and excellence in the education and holistic health care, medical education and research. Mengo Hospital is the oldest hospital in Uganda founded in 1897.