Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) made significant strides in the global higher education arena by participating in the 2024 UNESCO and African Union Forum for Higher Education in Africa. The forum, held in Nairobi, Kenya, brought together key stakeholders to discuss critical issues and explore strategies for sustainable development in African higher education.
A high-level delegation from MUST, including Vice Chancellor Prof. Pauline Byakika-Kibwika and Dr. Medard Twinamasiko, Director of the Centre for Innovation and Technology Transfer (CITT), attended the forum. The delegation also included a talented MUST alumna, Faculty of Interdisciplinary Studies, Ms. Leticia Ahirirwe (BSc. Agriculture and Livelihoods).
MUST’s Impact on African Higher Education
The Forum provided a platform for MUST to showcase its commitment to innovation and its role in shaping the future of African higher education. Prof. Byakika-Kibwika participated in a panel discussion on “Planning for Sustainable Impact: Embedding UNESCO CFIT III experiences and practices at University level.” She highlighted MUST’s successful integration of the UNESCO China Funds in Trust (CFIT) project into its academic programs and research initiatives. She further highlighted the ongoing process of adopting a competence-based approach to learning and the Institutional pedagogical training for lecturers to better deliver the curricula.
Dr. Twinamatsiko, representing MUST, presented the university’s groundbreaking innovations and flagship products developed under the CFIT project. The flagship products include the newly developed innovative and entrepreneurship-based micro credentials in organic farming techniques, Entrepreneurship and enterprise development, innovation and digital application development, and organic health drinks that use an experiential learning, ICT blended and positive deviance models. The other flagship product recently approved by the University Council is the Transformative Institutional Pedagogy certificate course, developed by the Faculty of Science and CITT, that will equip lecturers with pedagogical skills of the 21st century. These advancements demonstrate MUST’s dedication to fostering a technically skilled and innovative workforce in Africa that meets labour market demands.
Ms. Ahirirwe, a proud MUST alumna, inspired the audience with her entrepreneurial journey resulting from the hands-on training she received from the Faculty of Interdisciplinary Studies and CITT during boot camps. Her success story underscored the transformative power of MUST’s education and its ability to produce skilled, innovative, and entrepreneurial graduates.
A Brighter Future for African Higher Education
Centre: The Chinese Ambassador to UNESCO Ms.Xinyu Yang near Prof. Byakika,the Commissioner for Higher Education in Uganda Ministry of Education and Sports, extreme right Mr. Timothy Sejjoba, Prof. Dorothy Okello Dean School of Engineering Makerere University and a senator at MUST, Dr. Medard Twinamatsiko, Dr. Patience Awopegba ,the UNESCO regional education specialist, Prof. Liu Yufeng and UNESCO CFIT team
By actively participating in the UNESCO and African Union Forum, MUST reaffirmed its position as a leading African institution. The university’s contributions to the discussions and its showcase of innovative projects highlight its potential to drive positive change in the region.
As MUST continues to excel in research, innovation, entrepreneurship and student centered learning, it is poised to shape the future of higher education in Africa and contribute to the continent’s sustainable development goals.
Meet and Greet: The VC engaged the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Education and Sports Dr. Kedrace Turyagyenda and other key representatives
