Mwinyi says it is unfair for the govt not to fund private unis. PHOTO by Nicholas Oneal
Former Tanzanian President Ali Hassan Mwinyi on Thursday urged government to provide funds to private universities to enable them prosper.
“It is unfair for government to fund public universities at the expense of private ones, since private and public universities have the same role and goal,” Mwinyi said.
The former head-of-state was chief guest at the Kampala International University 9th graduation ceremony held at the Ggaba campus.
The colorful function saw 2,050 graduates awarded degrees, diplomas and masters in the fields of education, mass communication, human resource management and information and communication technology.
Of these 57% were male while 43% were female. The numbers of both the male and female graduates doubled those of last year.
Mwinyi added: “I am aware that it is very expensive to develop a private university without assistance from Uganda’s central government. Therefore there is a need to create a fund for private universities.”
The grey-haired former leader thanked the government for the liberalization of education which he said has enabled private universities to increase access to university education.
He asked government to continue ensuring that there was a conducive environment for investment in education to enable them prosper without undue interference.
Kenya’s minister for education Amb. Prof. Sam Ongeri said there were many students from Kenya, South Sudan, Rwanda and Burundi who are studying at the university.
Ongeri, a guest said the institution would lead to the realization of the dream of the East African Community and commended the university for extending a branch to Kenya.
“Education is a social equalizer. It enables people behave in a predictable manner. There is nothing worse than a person who is educated but has no character,” he advised.
Dr Badru Kateregga, vice chancellor KIU complained that the Kenya Teaching Service Commission had decided to terminate the jobs of Kenyans who had acquired the diploma in education.
He asked the Kenyan government to review its decision because the students had passed interviews and had been in service for five years.
“The KTS said the diploma was done in two years instead of three. But it was equated by them. This change in policy should not affect students,” Kateregga said.
Prof. Edward Rugumayo, the Chancellor of KIU said that for the last 12 years the university has been producing highly innovative graduates who have been prepared to participate in their own development and that of their communities.
“There is no glory without sacrifice. You must be intellectually deep, a thinker and hard workers. Learn to soil your hands,” the institution head advised.
Present at the ceremony was David Game, an educationist who owns 15 universities, colleges and institutions including the London Film Academy in the UK and other parts of the world.
By John Odyek, The New Vision
