MUST host the top management members of Mountains of the Moon University (MMU) in Fort Portal City on Thursday, 2nd February 2023 led by their Vice-chancellor Prof. Pius Coxwell Achanga for a benchmarking visit after MMU has been established as a public university seven months ago.
During the meeting, the MMU team was introduced to MUST’s top management committee which was led by the Vice Chancellor Prof. Celestino Obua, and other top management members who included; University Secretary, Dean of Students, Bursar, Human Resource Director, University Engineer, Principal Procurement officer, Legal officer, and the Librarian.
In his welcoming remarks, Prof. Celestino Obua expressed gratitude to MMU for having chosen MUST in their maiden visit as a public university. ‘’I would like to welcome you to MUST, particularly to this main campus”. It is a good opportunity to interact with each other. MMU has been in existence for a number of years, and this partnership we are starting will also help us learn from you as well. We shall work together through the successes and the challenges in a give-give fashion.’’ It was emphasized that the most successful partnerships are those where both sides give something.
In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor MMU expressed his gratitude to MUST ‘’We have chosen MUST first because in this region of western Uganda, you are the nearest neighbor, so we cannot run to other institutions yet we have MUST which was in our situation just a few years back. Previously, we have been limited to sitting at the same table with you but since we are now a public university, we now have a chance and we are ready to utilize it,’’ Prof. Achanga described. He pointed out that it is important to be known for a particular specialty and echoed that for MUST, the specialty is medicine. The focus for MMU is agriculture which they would like to advance in, together with tourism and some health sciences.
‘’I and this team of dedicated MMU members are here to initiate partnerships and collaborative engagements, share knowledge from experienced staff, pave way for joint research and publications, and plan for staff and student exchange programs between MUST and MMU,’’ Prof. Achanga stated.
Members of the MUST Top management committee shared their experiences in handling their respective departments. This was aimed at providing a knowledge-sharing platform for MMU’s Top management. Among the areas discussed were; the need to develop and strengthen structures and allow them to operate, the need for lobbyists for finances to run the University, the need to develop relevant policies and protect intellectual property rights, developing student support services and being available for the students, knowing the relevant acts and following them to the dot like the Financial Management Act of 2015 and the Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Act.
Prof. Achanga was grateful for the work done by the management of MUST to keep its flag high in various disciplines and appreciated the guidance that MUST offered to different units of MMU that have been making benchmarking visits. The MMU delegation included Prof. John Kasenene (Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academic Affairs), Assoc. Prof. Edmond Kagambe (University Secretary), Mrs. Ssali Roselyne (Dean of Students), Mrs. Grace Kazooba Nyakahuma (Academic Registrar), Dr. Raphael Aregu (University Librarian), Mr. William Ndoleriire (Director Planning, Investment, and Development) and Mrs. Jane Nakajubi (Principal Planning Officer) among others.
In order to outline how the two institutions will work together, a Memorandum of Understanding will shortly be signed. After the meeting, the MMU team toured the laboratories, library, hostels, and teaching facilities and appreciated the steady progress witnessed at MUST.
Succeed we must!