Solot Rocks

Solot Rocks
Solot Rocks found in the Middle of Soroti District where the University is Located a few Kilometres away. Its also a symbol of strong Education foundation as strong as a rock.

Tuesday 9 October 2012

List of Public Universities in Uganda

Public universities

NOTABENE SOROTI UNIVERSITY FOUND IN THE LAST COLUM BECOMES THE 8TH PUBLIC UNIVERSITY IN UGANDA TO BE GRANTED BY THE GOVERNMENT OF UGANDA TO THE PEOPLE OF TESO SUB REGION IN NORTH EASTERN UGANDA-AFRICA.

Private universities

Military universities

Degree-awarding non-university institutions

Monday 8 October 2012

A SUMMARY REPORT OF THE INAUGRATION OF SOROTI UNIVERSITY TASK FORCE ON THE 4TH SEPTEMBER 2012 NEAR TESO COLLEGE ALOET.


Introduction

The long awaited Soroti University of Science and Technology has been launched and the task force who are mandated to steer the University has been inaugurated.

This follows a decision by the president to grant the Teso sub region a public university.
This decision was taken on the 11th September 2011 and was followed by a written approval on March 2012.

This development enabled the Minister of Education and Sports to look for persons to form the task force.
The following were appointed as members of the task force:-

1)   Professor Ikoja Odongo John Robert ( Vice Chancellor)
2)    Mr. Too-Okema Lawrence (Deputy Vice Chancellor)
3)    Ms. Achimo Ruth Etibot (University Secretary)
4)    Mr. Okello  James Gregory ( Academic Registrar)
5)    Mr. Ilemukorit Stephen (Administrative Assistant)

During the inauguration ceremony which took place on Tuesday amidst heavy rain which people called it a blessing, The Minister of Education and Sports Major Jessica Alupo announced the grant of 2Billion towards the university support from government.
The Minister was welcomed by the chairman LCV and other distinguished guests arrived at round 11.30 in a procession led by Zebra brass band and school children which made the day colorful.

The Minister was also welcomed by Ojebe Samuel a renowned musician of Aukot Gweri in his song “Eyamainos aiyamain” amidst happiness and jubilations from the audience.
The prayer was led by Anglican Bishop of Soroti Diocese George Michael Erwau who asked God to grant the new task force the ability to construct a university in Teso for better services, health and wealth for all and the students who will study there in future.

Speeches
The LCI Of the area said there were no more disputes for land, adding that it’s time for development through education. His speech was closed with Ekiriakiria dance.

The next speech was by the LCV chairman. In his laconic speech Soroti LC5 Chairman Michael Egunyu asked for unity not division in order to promote education in Teso sub-region. He praised the task force installed.
He lamented why people get divided and don’t like one another that before you are loved you must like others as well.

The RDC of Soroti Mr. Ben Etonu who was very enthusiastic said that it was a very important day in the history of Teso sub region because the issue has been dragging on and on for so long.
 “Get united for success, because Teso was well known for supporting education which should continue. He said he nearly missed the university but its good it has come when he is in power as RDC.

He said he was happy with the government to recognize us and given us a university. He called for people to be united not divided.

He requested for the recognition of Bishop Ilukor, Professor Omaswa, and the late Obwangor for their tireless efforts in establishing the university.

He requested that the first block be named Obwangor in his memory.
The woman MP of Soroti in her speech said that education is the most important tool one can use for that development she called for more women to join Soroti University. She said Teso is least represented in the university administration. “We are now in the middle of the lake crying for sponsorship of our children Osege said”.

In her maiden speech, the Minister for Teso Affairs Ms Christine Amongin Aporu commended his excellency president Yoweri Museveni for his tireless efforts in initializing Soroti university which she said was a spirited support and a landmark history in Teso,

Amongin who was very happy with the NRM government efforts in supporting education noted that NRM is on the course to support the university education in Teso beginning with Science
If Uganda is to ensure competitiveness in the global market, Amongin said. She requested for the task force to be based in Soroti but not in a remote accommodation, adding that the construction must be finished before the next elections. She amused the audience when she said that “Not and not everything that counts can be counted and not everything that can be counted counts” I want a university that counts as an important house of knowledge. She said she was committed to working with the Soroti university task force .I am at the disposal of Professor Ikoja to do the work, am committed to working with all the members of the task force. She suggested that courses such as irrigation, medicine, water and science should be introduced.

The chief quest at the ceremony Hon Jesca Alupo, Minister of Education and Sports announced government plans in providing public universities for all Ugandans. This is the 8th public university where government contributed 2 billion a start Alupo said.
This university is not for children only but also for old mummies to go school and study masters and PhDs like us. She told the task force to do their work well for prosperity in order to remain substantive leaders.
Alupo congratulated the NRM government for establishing a university in Teso and its leadership in Soroti that NRM government  is thinking of planning for the young people as future leaders of the country  and therefore they must study she said.
She equally welcomed the government’s role in this university adding that the first students will study the next academic year.

Mininister Alupo said that she cherishes government policies in promoting science and technology adding that we start small but gradually grow big.
With the coming of this university and it is difficult for me to come back to sing the same song in the same area which has been sang for ages Alupo said in proverbs.

She also brought good news from president Museveni saying “I now write to you to start preparatory work in the construction of Soroti university of science and Technology.(SUST) in Teso sub region in two areas of medicine and engineering. In addition to electrical engineering Museveni said, what matters the quality not the quantity, Alupo is quoted Museveni as saying.  If Dar es Salaam started with13 students and Makerere with14 students in 1922 why not Soroti university?

Alupo advised the task force to think and plan for SUST. She further advised the university to come down to short courses even if they learn how to be a cobbler. Please come and learn skills here at Soroti University. She called for reform for courses that will be offered.

The Minister said that government has allocated 30 billion shillings to benefit us  from the scholarship scheme in the Ministry of Education and Sports .we are now in transit programs we look forward for Iteso people to  benefit from the state house scholarships. She further said that we who stay near the river benefit from the source of water, but those who live after benefit from the dew. I have commissioned the task force and president Museveni will commission the buildings the minister said.

The Chairman of the task force Professor Ikoja on behalf of his team accepted the appointment of his team and pledged on their behalf to work very hard and as a team consult extensively with various stakeholders on how to proceed with the university.

He noted that a good university should impart skills in the community and that our aim should be to change Soroti University through quality research work.  
The Chairperson also presented to the Minister the financial estimates plus the architectural drawings and the bill of quantities for the completion of the building started by the Iteso elders.

He requested the government to honor the bill of quantities (BOQ) for Soroti University amounting to 15 billion Uganda shillings.
He thanked the people of Teso and the region at large for persistently pressing for the university. He also thanked the president of Uganda for his approval and all those present during the inauguration ceremony.
           
        Activity
        The activities involved the clearing and preparing the site for the function. Several Meetings were held with stake holders especially District Local council, Soroti municipal council staff, prisons, police and students to prepare for the Inauguration.

         Event
         The event took place near Teso College Aloet the proposed   university
         Ground. It was presided over by the Minister of education and supported by
         Other members of parliament and stakeholders of the region.

         Program
        The program went on smoothly and was blessed by the rain.

        Entertainment
         The quests were entertained by the cultural dancers, the Ekiriakiria
Group from Usuk, Ojebe Sam with his Akogo group, a student from
Soroti SSS with his Zulu dance, a poem by one student of Teso College
Aloet, a play depicting the opening up of Soroti University by students
from Soroti S.SS.

Visitors
Visitors came from all over Uganda. Most private and public institutions
Were represented.

Conclusion
The event was successful and well attended.

Courtesy of North Eastern Media Peace Initiative (NEMPI-Organization)
nempi2006.pressclub@yahoo.com

CABINET MEMORANDUM ACT (2012) A MEMORANDUM ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF SOROTI UNIVERSITY (Memorandum by Hon. Minister of Education and Sports)



1.0              PURPOSE OF THE MEMORANDUM
The purpose of the memorandum is to:
1.1        Appraise Cabinet on the proposal to increase access to higher
Education

1.2    Propose to Cabinet the need to plan for a new Public University called Soroti University to be located in Soroti District.

1.3        Inform Cabinet that the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development has agreed to make a budgetary provision, to enable the Planning Task Force to begin work, in July 2012, in order to prepare for the establishment of the University in a manner that is consistent with the provision of Section 22, of the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act, 2001, as amended.
2.0              BACKGROUND
2.1     The Government White Paper on Education 1992, recommended in a nutshell, the democratization, liberalization and vocationalization of education and training in the provision of education in Uganda.  As a consequence, Government has introduced the Universal Primary Education (UPE)         in 1997, Universal Post Primary Education and Training in 2007 and the Universal Post Ordinary Level Education and Training (UPOLET) in 2012.

2.2     Increased access to education at HSC level has led to the growth in the number of students who seek University Education.

2.3   The increased demand has been met by private providers who have mainly concentrated in offering Arts and Humanities disciplines leaving Science and Technology to Government Universities.  The demand in the labor market, however, is for graduates who have trained in basic sciences, applied sciences and technology.

2.4       The Ministry wishes to increase access to Science, Applied Science and Technology. In pursuit of that goal, Government wishes to establish Soroti University to concentrate on disciplines that will assist in national transformation, such as Agricultural Sciences and Agricultural Mechanization, Agriculture, value addition research.
                     The Ministry wishes to increase access to Science, applied Science and             Technology. In pursuit of that goal, Government wishes to establish Soroti University to concentrate on disciplines that will assist in national transformation, such as Business Sciences, Sciences and Technical Education, Health Sciences, Food Sciences and Technology and Computer Science.

2.5       This plan by the Ministry of Education and Sports is consistent with the National Development Plan Strategies to increase equitable access to Higher Education by, among others, reducing costs of education to families, developing facilities to cope with rapidly increasing numbers of students, reforming and improving curricula and instruction in priority disciplines.

3.0              STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
3.1              Whilst the 1995 constitution of the Republic of Uganda provides for fundamental human rights and under Chapter 4, Article 30 provides that all persons have a right to education. At input level there are very limited opportunities for University education in Uganda to match the number of qualifying students. In the Financial Year 2011/2012, 61,820 qualified for University education in Uganda, the available places, in both Public and Private Universities were only 45,000. The introduction of UPOLET in 2012 will exacerbate the dire need for more places at the University.  The need, therefore, to establish more institutions to offer University Education, needs no more emphasis.
3.2              At output level of the education the traditional higher education models of “train and throw on the street” for the Private Sector and government to pick can no longer work. Uganda is currently faced with a serious challenge of youth unemployment.
3.3              Meanwhile it is a known fact that the country’s natural resources are Under-exploited and the Industry underdeveloped. The majority of Uganda’s products are unprocessed raw materials of relatively low quality and of short shelf-life. Accordingly, they fetch low prices amidst a booming domestic and international market. the under exploitation and underdevelopment is attributed to lack of qualified persons

4.0              JUSTIFICATION FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF SOROTI
UNIVERSITY

4.1              The 1995 Constitution of the Republic of Uganda provides for fundamental human rights and under Chapter 4, Article 30 provides that all persons have a right to education.

4.2              The reforms undertaken by the Government through the Ministry of Education and Sports has witnessed the introduction of Universal Primary School (UPE) in 1997; Universal Post Primary Education and Training (UPPET)          in 2007 and now the introduction of Universal Post-Ordinary Level Education and Training (UPOLET) in January 2012. These reforms have increased enrollment of pupils and students at an annual average rate of 7%. This has correspondingly increased the number qualifying for higher education.

4.3              Uganda has the lowest higher education Gross Enrollment of Ratio (GER) of 5% in the East African Region, while other member countries GER stand at 8%.

4.4              The National Development Plan 2010 – 2015 states that for an economic take off, a country should have a tertiary         GER    OF 40% in relevant fields that is, Science and Technology. The need to open more opportunities therefore, needs no emphasis.

4.5              In the Financial Year 2011/2012, 61820 students qualified for University education but only 45,000 students were admitted to public and private universities.  Of these, Government sponsored only 9% that is, 4,000 students.  Establishment of Soroti University would increase access to University education nationally and regionally, especially for privately sponsored students.

4.6              Soroti University is planned to be Science based concentrating on Agricultural Science, Mechanization, Animal Sciences and Husbandry, Agricultural Value Addition and linking all these to Marketing. The plan takes into cognizance the vast arable land in the region which is ideal for mechanization and animal husbandry.  This plan will greatly contribute to social transformation, and will lead to national development.

4.7              Soroti University will be built on a “virgin ground”. It will not displace any institution. It will be close to Teso College and to the Arapai Campus of Busitema University. Once established, Busitema University, Arapai Campus, would be phased out as Soroti University would fulfill the purpose for which Arapai was established. Arapai would re-focus on Diploma programmes it used to offer.

5.0              IMPLEMENTATION ARRANGEMENTS
5.1              The Ministry of Education and Sports has made a budgetary provision of UGX 1 bn (Ug. Shs. One billion) in the Financial Year 2012/2013.

5.2              The Taskforce members will be appointed in July 2012.

5.3              Recruitment of key academic and non-academic staff and procurement of transport equipment will be made from August to December, 2012.

5.4              The Taskforce will design the Strategic Plan, develop academic programmes, and initiate site lay-out plans and physical infrastructure drawings, etc, starting January, 2013.

5.5              Accreditation processes of the academic programmes by the National Council for Higher Education will be undertaken from July to December, 2013.  

5.6              The Legal establishment of Soroti University will be presented to Parliament between September and December, 2012.

5.7              Procurement of equipment and materials for teaching and learning process, January to March, 2014.

5.8              Establishment of the Institutional framework that involves appointments of officers and staff of the University and constitution of the Governing Council will be January to April, 2014.

5.9              Execution of civil works will be from July 2013 – June 2015.

5.10          Soroti University full functional with all the officers and the Council in place, April 2015.

5.11          Admission of the first cohort of Soroti University students May to August, 2015.

6.0              OUTPUT/DELIVERABLES

            6.1       Draft Strategic Plan is in place.

            6.2       Reconstructed and rehabilitated facilities at the proposed Soroti
                        University Main Campus.

6.3       Programmes of studies developed and submitted to National Council for Higher Education for review.

6.4       Key staff, both academic and non-teaching are recruited in readiness to kick start the University in August, 2014.

6.5       Equipment and materials for teaching are procured.

6.6       Quarterly progress report submitted by the Taskforce to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education and Sports.
8.0       CONCLUSION       
            At the next convenient meeting, I will request cabinet to:

8.1       Note the need for an increased equitable access to Higher Education.

8.2       Approve that a new Public University called Soroti University be established in Soroti District, to be fully operational by April, 2015.

8.3       Direct the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to revise the Education Sector’s Medium Term Expenditure Framework to reflect the emerging costs – both recurrent and capital development.


From Ministry of Education and Sports, P.O. Box 7063 Kampala
February, 2012



THE OBJECTS AND PURPOSES FOR WHICH SOROTI UNIVERSITY WILL BE ESTABLISHED ARE DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS:

(a)        To develop an innovative institutional and educational model for vocationalizing education and extension system so as to increase the productive and entrepreneurial capacity in students/youth and communities;

(b)       To create programmes that combine lecture room activities with field work (service learning), projects and research and coordinate internships with business, government and Non-Governmental Organizations related to the national development;

(c)        To promote appropriate skills technology and innovations for production, employment, regional integration and development;

(d)       To promote student-based community service and training. For example, through internships and assist the youth or students to gain employability and offer service in various community settings;

(e)        To conduct specialized and enterprise based short-term training and non degree capacity building;

(f)        To promote among students appropriate skills for production and employment in community, office and related industry;

(g)       To promote value addition and entrepreneurship development, outbreak and extension in all aspects of the University education.

(h)       To promote technology development, outreach and extension in all aspects of University education;
(i)        To plan and conduct research on all aspects of business, health science and technology, value addition on agricultural products, food security and bio-technology.

(j)         To contribute to the attainment and sustainability of Soroti University, the country and partners.
  1. To promote appropriate Skills, Technology and Innovations for Production, Employment, regional integration and Development in Africa.
  2. To develop an innovative institutional model for vocationalising production Sector education and extension Systems so as to increase the productive and entrepreneurial capacity of youth and communities
  3. To promote appropriate Technology and Innovations for increased Production and sustainable Markets. in the Animal Industry 
  4. To improve on the teaching of sciences in education sector
  5. To contribute to the national development agendas


The unique educational model will be based on four pillars that is, entrepreneurship, environmental and social consciousness, ethical values and scientific and technical knowledge. Based on these principles, students will be nurtured into agents of change.  They will learn by doing, working closely with faculty members and sector communities to implement methods that promote development and increase productivity. While deepening their understanding of the problems facing different communities so they will be better equipped to respond to them.
2.4      


Over the years, concern has been raised on the nature of education and products coming out of Ugandan Universities. The concern is that described in terms of such as: “less than ready for the job market, half baked, too theoretical etc.etc.  Appeals have therefore been made by stakeholders to educational institutions to re-orient their programmes towards addressing the problems. The country desires/wishes for graduates that have skills in all things they are employed.

Soroti University concerns with all those aspirations through a process approach.  This approach will be identifying, designing and implementing academic programmes that prioritize practical skills training, leadership in innovations and outreach.  The thrust would be educating and training the persons the country needs for the future.