Universities urged to invest in research during the 5th African Rural University Graduation.
Universities in Uganda have been challenged to invest more in research that will push the productivity and exploitation of local talents and resources.
Speaking at the 5th graduation of African Rural university-ARU on Friday 15, 11, 2019 at the university campus in Kagadi town council Kagadi district, Dr.Emely Kugonza JP, the chairperson of Uganda Investment Authority said the area of interest must be agro-processing and value addition, boosting agriculture productivity, renewal of energy, food security and fishing, work and related field for students to fit in the fourth industrial revolution.
Kugonza also urged the graduates to be discipline and exhibit high integrity, ethics, self-pride, innovation and related values in order to be successful.
The graduation was held under the theme, contributing to African renaissance through higher education.
12 students were conferred by the ARU Chancellor His Lordship Hon. Justice Ezekiel Muhanguzi with Bachelor’s Degree in Technologies for Rural Transformation, Rural Entrepreneurship.
Muhanguzi appealed to the government to extend grant support to African rural university especially for research and community outreach.
The vice chancellor of African Rural University, Dr.Mwalimu Musheshe says, all the graduates of ARU get absorbed immediately by Uganda Rural Development and Training Programme to work at the Lower Government (Local Council III) as Epicenter Managers where they effect change in communities through using the visionary approach to development.
He says ARU graduates do not float on streets because they are trained to be job creators.
The chairperson and member of ARU council, Hon. Mrs.Joyce Mpanga called on Africans to reflect on the role of higher education in the African renaissance.
She advised Africans to embrace culture and development to overcome challenges confronting the continent and achieve cultural, economic, and environment renewal.
African Rural University (ARU) is one of the Uganda’s university and the first all-women rural university in Africa fully accredited by National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) [U1/PL/017].
It was founded by the Uganda Rural Development and Training Programme (URDT) and located 1.5 Km along Kagadi-Hoima Road, Kagadi Town council, Kagadi District in Mid-western Uganda East Africa.
ARU creates a pool of female leaders who are capable of participating in the socio-economic empowerment of the marginalized, and also providing rigorous scientific input into the design and practice of rural development processes by offering an integrated curriculum