NCHE cautions on internet courses

Jul 04, 2019

NCHE is mandated to regulate and ensure provision of quality higher education in the country

 

Uganda has not yet developed the required capacity to fully embrace distance learning courses, the National Council of Higher Education (NCHE), executive director, Dr Alex Mugisha Kagume has said.

Distance learning is a way of learning remotely without being in regular face-to-face contact with a teacher in the classroom.

"Although long distance learning has a lot of advantages, we have not yet reached that level. Until we have full-fledged and equipped centres for internet learning, that is still too early for Uganda. Having one computer and a server is not enough," Kagume said.

He cautioned against getting excited over distance learning explaining that the transition from the traditional methods of teaching of face-to-face interaction of a teacher and a student should be maintained as capacity is built to fully embrace online studies.    

NCHE is mandated to regulate and ensure provision of quality higher education in the country. Uganda has 51 universities and other degree awarding institutions of which 10 are public.

r lex agume shares a light moment with atrick anu and isa eardsley during the consultative meeting hoto by ary ansiimeDr Alex Kagume shares a light moment with Patrick Manu and Lisa Beardsley during the consultative meeting. Photo by Mary Kansiime

 

Kagume made the remarks at a strategic meeting for 2019 Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church higher institutions of learning in East and Central Africa at Bugema University on Thursday.

The meeting under theme: Strategic management for growth, right sizing and innovation was convened by the SDA church world headquarter (General Conference) Education director Dr Lisa Beardsley Hardy drew participants from Rwanda, Burundi, DRC, Kenya, Djibouti, Eretria, South Sudan, Tanzania, Ethiopia and Uganda.

Kagume observed the need for universities to play a key role in producing the critical human resource needed in spurring the development of the country.

"It is therefore important that we do not just produce any labour force equipped with the right attitude and right skills to contribute to development and nation building," he said.

He commended the SDA church for the heavy investment and support for Bugema University to become a fully-fledged vibrant chartered and excellent educational facility.

rchbishop of the eventhay dventist hurch in ganda aniel atte left with the president of akwood niversity eslie ollard on the sidelines of the consultative meeting hoto by ary ansiimeArchbishop of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Uganda, Daniel Matte (left), with the president of Oakwood University Leslie Pollard on the sidelines of the consultative meeting. Photo by Mary Kansiime

 

Dr Lisa Beardsley pledged support and collaboration to universities to enable them to provide quality education to enable students to become responsible citizens.

Adventist education prepares people for useful and joy-filled lives, fostering friendships with God, whole-person development, Bible-based values, and selfless service in accordance with the Seventh-day Adventist mission to the world.

The Education Department of the General Conference provides overall coordination and supervision of the philosophical priorities, quality control, strategic planning, leadership training and promotion of the global Adventist educational system, in support of the mission of the Church.

The Archbishop of the SDA Church in Uganda Pastor Dr Daniel Matte who is also the Chancellor of Bugema University reiterated the church's commitment to provide quality education as a major empowerment for the communities.

He said Adventist philosophy of education and the principles of faith-and-learning are integrated into the life of each of its more than one million students in its 5,600 schools, colleges and universities around the world, in 145 countries.

Mental, physical, social, and spiritual health, intellectual growth, and service to humanity form a core of values that are essential aspects of the Adventist education philosophy.

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