Makerere, Kyambogo, Kabale varsities sign pact to improve teaching of French studies

The French government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with three universities to improve the quality of teaching French language in the institutions.
The benefiting universities include Makerere, Kyambogo and Kabale.

During the signing of the MoU last week, French Ambassador Aline Kuster-Me’nager said the agreement formalises their four-year mutual cooperation in areas of French teachers training and research.

Prof. Isaiah Ndiege signed on behalf of Kyambogo University while Prof. Venansius Baryamureeba and Prof. Joe Kwesiga signed on behalf of Makerere and Kabale universities respectively. This year the French government paid tuition for 17 students studying French at the three universities.

Ambassador Kuster-Me’nager said due to the growing globalisation, the knowledge of foreign languages specifically is an asset and everyone whether young or old should strive to acquire it.

“French is a language of business but also a language of research and we are ready to assist all those who want to advance their skills in speaking and teaching it,” she said 
According Ms Marie Caillat, the head of cooperation and cultural affairs at the French Embassy, the MoU will be renewed after five years.

“This kind of agreement allows us to improve the quality of French studies in the three institutions and we are looking forward to achieving that,” she said.
A total of 23 students have so far benefited from the French scholarships and graduated at Makerere, Kyambogo while 35 are still pursuing their studies.

assenkabirwa@ug.nationmedia.com