Victoria University slashes tuition fees to address COVID-19 concerns

Following the extraordinary economic impacts of the coronavirus, Victoria University has slashed tuition by half for both joining and continuing students.

The university's announcement follows a decision by the Board of Directors to slash the tuition fees, according to acting vice-chancellor Bill Nkeeto, who described the decision as the right thing to do.

"The Board together with Council identify the need to make Higher education affordable and accessible especially in this time of COVID-19. This reduction was tailor-made to support the Government's efforts to build a better society post-COVID-19, foster innovation, and create positive social and economic impact by providing high-quality education to Ugandans and the international community," Nkeeto said.

"We have a pioneering spirit, expressed in the vision of our founder, Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia, which has seen his initiatives lead the way in the sectors of hospitality, education, banking and insurance, human resource management, advertising among others."

Sudhir, the owner of the university said the revised policy would benefit parents and learners for the next three years.

"This pandemic is here for the next two or more years. So the structure of fees will remain stable and we will review it in consultation with the students' body, then the council and the market. I don't see us raising our prices for the next two or three years," Sudhir said.

Victoria University was established in 2011 by Edulink Holdings Limited, a private company that invests internationally in tertiary institutions of higher education.

From 2011 until late 2012, the university was affiliated with the University of Buckingham (UB) in the United Kingdom, which awarded the majority of degrees offered at VUU. VUU, however, has developed several courses that it teaches and examines independently of the University of Buckingham. In September 2013, Sudhir purchased the university.