Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) marked a historical milestone with the second graduation of 99 academic staff who completed a month-long training in Institutional Pedagogy and Competence-Based Learning. The event, held on 26th June 2025, took place at the university’s city campus and symbolized a renewed institutional commitment to enhancing the quality of teaching and learning. This follows the first graduation held on 30th April 2025 making a total of 173 academic staff so far graduated. This is a contribution to MUST’s readiness to receive students trained under Uganda’s revised lower secondary school curriculum, which emphasises skills development and learner participation. These students will join universities in the next 2 years.
This graduation was graced by the representative of the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China in Uganda Prof. Liu Yufeng, who is the Senior Program Specialist, Section of Higher Education at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France; Ms. Sarah Nyachwo Mwaka, the Vice Chairperson of MUST Council and Committee Chairperson Legal, Rules and Privileges; Prof. Pauline Byakika-Kibwika the Vice Chancellor of MUST and Dr. Patience Awopegba, the Education Programme Specialist of UNESCO at the Regional Office in Kenya. Dr. Awopegba coordinates the UNESCO China Funds In Trust (CFIT) III that fully funded the training. Also present were members of the university top leadership, including; Prof. Nixon Kamukama, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs); Dr. Martha Kyoshaba Twinamasiko, Academic Registrar; Mr. Prinari Behangana, Chief Human Resources Officer; Mr. Mutebi Geoffrey, the Chief Internal Auditor; Prof. Joseph Ngonzi, Dean Faculty of Medicine, Dr. Eunice Olet, Dean Faculty of Science and Mr. Lucky Ariho Rwabuturumba the MUST Guild President. The ceremony brought together members of management, academic staff, university administrators, student leaders, and invited guests.
The graduation ceremony was for staff from Faculty of Medicine and Faculty of Science while the first covered staff from Faculty of Applied Sciences and Technology; Faculty of Computing and Informatics, Faculty of Interdisciplinary Studies and; Faculty of Business and Management Sciences. The training aimed to equip academic staff with modern, learner-centred pedagogical skills in line with global trends in higher education. Participants underwent intensive hands-on sessions focusing on inclusive, authentic, and competence-based teaching methods, curriculum design, assessment strategies, and digital learning tools.
Giving her remarks, Prof. Liu Yufeng appreciated MUST for reaching this important milestone. She was grateful to the leaders of the UNESCO CFIT III Prof. Nixon Kamukama and Dr. Medard Twinamatsiko for successfully leading the project with tangible outputs of the curricula review assessments done, competence based training undertaken, the innovative entrepreneurship based short courses developed, and innovations supported. Ms. Sarah Nyachwo Mwaka appreciated the support of UNESCO and the People’s Republic of China for the training attained. She commended the trainers for the achievement attained and encouraged them to apply the knowledge and skills gained to transform their teaching practices.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Byakika-Kibwika congratulated the graduates and commended the organising team lead by Dr. Medard Twinamatsiko for delivering a successful and impactful training. She noted that this was a timely intervention to rethink how we teach, how students learn, and how Universities contribute to society. “We are proud to lead this transformation and set an example for other institutions in Uganda and beyond.” She noted that Senate and Council approved the certificate course in Institutional Pedagogy to ensure that all staff acquire practical skills and knowledge to engage learners successfully. It is now a requirement for all academic staff of MUST to undertake and complete this certificate course. It will be a requirement during appraisal, academic audit, and other steps for academic growth. Prof. Byakika thanked Dr. Medard Twinamatsiko, Prof. Julius Lejju, Dr. Julius Tumusiime and Mr. Sudi Balimuttajjo for developing the certificate course of the Competence-Based framework for MUST and organising the training and graduation ceremony.
Speaking on behalf of the facilitators, Prof. Christopher Mugimu from Makerere University, appreciated MUST leadership for the support given to its staff to be transformative. He further thanked the other facilitators for their commitment and unique delivery in training and encouraged the graduates to become ambassadors of the pedagogical transformation within their faculties.
The Team Leader and Project Coordinator Dr. Medard Twinamatsiko, who led the implementation of the training, expressed gratitude to the university leadership for institutionalising the programme at MUST and heartily appreciated UNESCO and People’s Republic of China for the financial support. He also thanked participants for embracing the sessions with enthusiasm and openness. Giving a vote of thanks on behalf of the trainees,
Prof. Ngonzi noted that the fireworks had just begun, each of the graduates will light their candle as they deliver the curricula to the learners. Dr. Patience Awopegba demonstrated a need for lecturers to make the learners more employable because of changing dynamics in the labour market. She appreciated what the Centre for Innovation and Technology Transfer has done to skill and unskilled learners at MUST citing the innovations they had seen. The event was moderated by Ms. Sheila Niinye Twinamatsiko the Senior Communications Officer in charge of International Relations.
As the graduation drew to a close, it was apparent that it is important not to stick to traditional teaching approaches, but academic staff need to match their methods with the expectations and learning styles of today’s digital-native students. It is evident that MUST is not just producing graduates but shaping leaders, innovators, and problem-solvers, and that work begins with how students are taught. Succeed we must.
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Above: Some of the graduands receiving certificates
Photo gallery of the 1st graduation ceremony held on 30th April 2025
The Chief Guest, Prof. Pauline Byakika-Kibwika; University Vice Chancellor awarding certificates of completion to the graduands.
Dr. Medard Twinamatsiko, the Lead organiser of the training and Assoc. Prof. Julius Bunny Lejju giving their remarks on behalf of the organising team and facilitators of the training respectively.
