Fifty three students from the CEES’ Department of Adult and Community Education recently received hands-on training in producing black books, papers bags and candles as part of the Entrepreneurship Skills and Microfinance Management (ACE 3212) course unit. The training workshop was aimed at providing students with the skills needed to initiate, manage and sustain small-scale enterprises for profit and social progress. The training was delivered by Mr. Jeremiah Nkwanga and Mr. Ronald Kiyimba from Winning Ways International.
While opening the training workshop, the Principal CEES, Dr Fred Masagazi Masaazi noted the need to acquire entrepreneurial skills in order to keep up with demands of the job market. He pledged to sponsor the students in a book making income generating project in which the books made would be sold to parents of secondary school children.
The Dean of the School of Distance and Lifelong Learning, Dr. Paul Muyinda applauded the Department of Adult and Community Education for providing the students with a practical approach to learning entrepreneurship. He also noted the importance of paper bags in protecting the environment.
The Head of the Department Adult and Community Education, Dr Alex Okot said the training was a welcome activity that enables students to adopt entrepreneurial mindsets which opens them up to many opportunities and possibilities.
Mr. Apollo Mulondo, a third year student, said he and his fellow students embraced the opportunity to advance their skills because employers prefer to hire students who have been involved in a project or business no matter how small it is. “The entrepreneurship training offers us an opportunity to run away from unemployment, it is a plan B,” he added.
The Course Coordinator, Mr Joseph Watuleke said the ACE 3212 focuses on the techniques and practices in Entrepreneurship and management of Microfinance and how individuals and communities can effectively participate and benefit in such undertakings.
“The course equips students with knowledge, skills and capacity to transfer the same competences to individuals and communities in order to empower them to participate in such projects with the aim of eradicating poverty,” said Mr. Watuleke.
Participants pose for a group photo with their black books, paper bags and candles.
· Students learn how to make black books using paper, cardboard, glue, cassava porridge and thread.
· Students learn how to make candles.
Students learn how to make paper bags
