KIU introduces new health courses

By Innocent Anguyo

As Kampala International University (KIU) gradually shifts priority to science disciplines, the institution’s western Uganda campus is set to introduce new health science courses.

The courses will be in the academic categories of diploma, bachelor, masters and doctorates. Under the School of Allied Health Sciences, courses taught will include Diploma in Physiotherapy, Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy and Bachelor of Science in Public Health.

At the faculty of Clinical Medicine and Dentistry, Master of Medicine courses, including internal medicine; surgery/child health and paediatrics; reproductive health, obstetrics and gynaecology; mental health and psychiatry and ophthalmology, have started.

Under the school of Pharmacy, Master of Science in Clinical and Bio-Pharmacy and Master of Science in Pharmacy will be taught.

Under the faculty of Biomedical Sciences Doctorate courses such as Human Anatomy, Medical Physiology, Medical Biochemistry and Pharmacology and Microbiology will be offered.

According to Dr. Wilberforce Tindyebwa, the KIU director of academic affairs, the institution operates three intakes of January, April and August.

Addressing the press after the 10th graduation ceremony at KIU Kampala campus, Tindyebwa said Uganda was short of health workers and therefore it was prudent of KIU to seek to graduate more students in the discipline.

He further asked the Government to subsidise the cost of medical courses on grounds that they were relatively more expensive than the other courses. “We also need to encourage students to pursue science courses and tell them that sciences are not hard so that we can attract more students to pursue sciences,” said Tindyebwa.

KIU on Tuesday started passing out 3,286 of the students set to graduate this year. Of this year’s graduating students, 547 are masters students, 25 postgraduate diplomas and 2475 bachelors.

The 142 students of Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery graduated. Of the undergraduate students graduating this year, 22 will be awarded first class degrees, 1143 will walk away with second class upper division degrees, 1026 will receive second class lower degrees and 136 will be issued with pass degrees. All students who have cleared with the university will receive their transcripts on graduation.

While speaking at the graduation ceremony, KIU vice-chancellor Prof. Kazenga Tibenderana also recognised the best graduates, subsequently awarding them with gifts.