By Kitts D.Mabonga
EDUCATION
Uganda’s higher institutions of learning have been urged to adhere closely to their professional code of ethics to ensure that their work is acknowledged and valued by the general public.
The remarks were contained in the speech of the Prime Minister RobinahNabbanja delivered by the permanent secretary office of the prime minister (OPM) Dunstan Balaba on May 24, 2024 during the 8th graduation ceremony of the Ernest Cook Ultrasound Research and Educational Institute (ECUREI) in Mengo, Rubaga Division.
During the event titled “Echoes of transformation” the ceremony also witnessed the official launch and introduction of the new ECUREI institute logo, as it marked its transition from being an institute that awards other degrees to a fully-accredited university recognized by the national council for higher education (NCHE).
Among the 304 graduates, 11 achieved master’s degrees, 66 earned bachelor’s degrees, and 288 received diplomas in various fields of medical sciences.
“We would like to join the Ernest Cook University [ECU] fraternity which is transitioning from an institute (ECUREI) to a fully-fledged university and wishing them the best with emphasis of encouraging them to focus at observing the rules governing the national University standards,” Nabbanja noted.
She emphasized that Ernest Cook University, being a comprehensive medical diagnostic teaching facility within the field of science, directly aligns with the president’s focus on promoting science-based learning methods that drive technological advancements and innovation.
She stressed that it is the reason why the ministry of science, technology, and innovation (STI) was established under the president’s office.
The university governing council chairman Prof. George Kirya said their 8th graduation ceremony holds a special significance as they not only celebrate academic achievements but also mark a pivotal moment in the history of their institution as they transition from being an ‘Other Degree Awarding Institution’ to a fully-fledged University, a status officially granted by the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE).
He noted that the recent achievement is a strong indication of their steadfast dedication to excellence and their goal of delivering top-notch healthcare education and evidence-based medical care in Africa.
“Looking ahead, our new university is to embark on new frontiers and embrace a mindset shift that will propel us towards even greater heights of success and effectively impact to humanity,” noted Kirya.
He pledged that despite being a private University, they are deeply committed to serving at national, regional and continental levels effectively through introduction of innovative programs as well as aim at producing graduates who will serve as catalyst for positive change in the healthcare delivery and contribution to the development of the country.
The minister of health Dr. Ruth Acen who was represented by the assistant commissioner clinical services in the ministry of health Dr. Nabbanja Juliet Katumba decried the escalating cases of brain drain syndrome hitting the healthcare sector saying government was concerned about the threats posed by the loss of highly trained medical professionals into the diaspora.
She students from ECU are a critical mass of cadres who need to be available to serve in their country’s healthcare system given their strategic specialist position in training required to be absorbed into the general workspaces of government healthcare facilities.
“We are aware of the absorption challenges currently faced by the ministry of health but we are working hard to ensure that vacant positions are effectively covered and institutions like ECU are in possession of the key human resource envelope the government is looking for’ noted Nabbanja.
She pleaded with the newly trained medics across the country not to run away for greener pastures in the diaspora but to accept and serve their country first irrespective of the challenges and also revealed how they are creating schemes of service to absorb them.
The Minister of Science Technology and innovation Dr. Monica Musenero who was represented by the ministry’s head of the pathogen economy department Brenda Nakazibwe congratulated the new team saying her department was responsible for identifying new IT pathogen projects and looks forward to working with ECU which is a strictly STI facility to help build their capacities in working on strategic projects which are geared towards creating jobs.
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