(This article was first published in the New Vision on January 29, 2023)
By Kellen Owente and Eddie Ssejjoba
Key players in the education sector came together to show-case their services at the New Vision Education Expo that ends on Sunday. Many of the universities and institutions of higher learning exhibiting at the expo have indicated that Uganda must embrace practical skills to deal with unemployment.
Emily Nabulya is a Senior Six student at Trinity College Nabbingo.
She is currently doing biology, chemistry and mathematics (BCM) as her combination, “but for some time now, I have been worried and confused about what I want to do as a career”.
Her mother told them that they would be coming to the New Vision Education Expo and she didn’t know what to expect.
“When I came in, we went straight to the Ernest Cook Ultrasound Research and Education Institute (ECUREI) tent, where I was introduced to unique courses that are rare in the medicine world in Uganda,” says Nabulya.
“I have decided to join the institution and do a diploma in biomedical engineering as my course once I complete secondary school. This has been such a huge opportunity for me to finally find something that I have always wanted to do.”ECUREI is a tertiary-level institute that offers training in ultrasound and medical imaging and other health-related courses.
Rhoda Mirembe is from Kampala School of Health Sciences located at Greenland Towers on Kampala Road, who were exhibitors at the expo.
She said they are a centre of excellence in health care training.
“Gaining professional health skills is the way to go. Nursing and midwifery courses are marketable. Many trained nurses and midwives are always on high demand, even going to work abroad. So, you cannot fail to get a job with this course.”
According to her, they train community-oriented nurses who cannot fail to find work in any health facility in the country.
The institution also entered a partnership with Kawempe National Referral Hospital, which absorbs students on practicum. This gives them hands-on skills and introduces them in to the world of work.
“We also have a working relationship with Bombo Military Hospital where our students get internship placements and some are retained,” she said.
Some of the course they offer include pediatrics, dental medicine and nursing and midwifery. If you are interested in enrolling for a medical course, you can apply online via www.kshs.ac.ug
The January and February intakes are ongoing.
Meanwhile, the Directorate of Industrial Training (DIT), who are one of the sponsors of the expo, have been busy receiving eager students at their stall who are interested in vocational training.
Prudence Balikuddembe, the DIT public relations officer, said they will this year start assessing the first group of Senior Three students countrywide, who have been studying at least one course in vocational skills.
This will imply that after O’Level, each student will get two certificates – one from DIT called the Uganda Vocational Qualifications Framework (UVQF) level 1, after which a student can choose to continue to Senior Five or pursue vocational studies after Senior Four.
Alternatively, one can choose to employ oneself or find employment elsewhere.
“The student is employable because of the skills acquired at school. There are several fields of skilling under agriculture, art and design or performing arts.”
Francis Guma (pictured below, left), who has just finished Senior Four at St. Mary’s College Kisubi, visited the expo to learn about the different educational institutions and how he can make himself useful in his vacation.
“As I was moving around different exhibitors, the Directorate of Industrial Training (DIT) stall caught my attention. I wanted to know what they do. After interacting with them, I have decided that I want to start my higher education journey with a short course in vocational skilling.”
Esther Katumba Nakalema, an expo-goer, was all smiles as she made her way off the expo grounds.
“I brought two of my late brother’s children to the expo. Paying school fees for them has been a challenge. I am grateful to New Vision for organising this event because as I was moving around, the State House Presidential Initiative Hub stall caught my attention,” she said.
“I am so glad I visited their tent because I was informed that I can enroll my niece and nephew to one of the industrial hubs in Kayunga district and they will be admitted to study short vocational courses for free.
“This will enable them to acquire skills that can help them sustain themselves in future. I am leaving the Uganda Institue of Information and Communications Technology grounds today with so much hope that my late brother’s children will not regret being orphans.
“I thank God for having given me direction to come for the expo today.”
