Govt to take over Mountain of the Moon University

PIC: Courtesy Photo

EDUCATION MOUNTAIN OF THE MOON UNIVERSITY

Government has named a four-man committee to oversee the transition of a private owned Mountain of the Moon University to a public university.

The state minister for higher education, Dr JC Muyingo said the duties of the committee will be carried out in accordance with the Universities and other Tertiary Institutions Act.

"I am happy to inform you that you have been appointed to serve as a member. Please confirm if you accept the assignment," Muyingo stated in a January 25, 2019 dated letter to the nominees.

The committee is chaired by Dr. Pius Achanga, the National Council of Higher Education (NCHE) head of institutions and programmes accreditation, deputised by Prof. John Kasenene.

Other members are: Dr. Edmond Kagambe, the university's current deputy vice chancellor who will serve as a secretary and Grace Kazooba Nyakahuma taking up the academic registrar role.

According to the terms of reference for a two-year tenure committee, Achanga will execute duties of a vice chancellor. When the legal processes of starting the university are completed, appointment of a vice chancellor will be effected.

The taskforce will coordinate the development of a master plan and strategic plan for the proposed public university, coordinate consultations with various stakeholders and come up with a suitable name and to implement the institutional restructuring of the current private university into a public university, including the restructuring of the administrative and academic units.

The committee is also tasked to develop of key policies, manuals, charters and statutes for the university, review current academic programmes, evaluate the current human resource for possible appointment as staff and ensure smooth transition.

Established in 2005 with 205 students, the Kabarole based university now boasts of 2,200 students. The university was granted a charter last year. Its runs 46 programmes accredited by NCHE.

Kagambe said the transition into a public university demonstrates government's commitment in supporting education beyond the secondary school level in generating advanced knowledge and innovations through research.

"This will give greater opportunity for the Rwenzori-Tooro region. It will enhance the capacity of the university to deliver its mandate of teaching, research and community engagement," Kagambe said.

He said it will also accelerate steady growth and development in all areas including: land acquisition, student enrolment, staff development programmes, infrastructure development, partnership/collaborations initiatives and community cohesion.

"I commend the President, the First Lady who is also minister for education for carefully identifying the taskforce team that I believe, will deliver the university to a public status. 

We have enjoyed very supportive guidance from all government quarters and it's my hope and expectation that the same level of support and guidance will continue throughout this transition period and beyond." Kagambe added.

On behalf of the taskforce entrusted with the duty of transitioning the university to a public status, Kagambe affirmed the team's readiness and commitment for the task ahead of them.

He assured the current staff of their jobs subject to re-validation as per ministry of public service recommendation.

"We shall retain staff as long as their jobs exist. Those without necessary requirements will be encouraged to seek retraining. I want to assure our staff of job safety," Kagambe said.