It was dancing and ululation as 1,280 students of the College of Education and External Studies received PhDs, masters and undergraduate degrees on the second day of the 73rd Graduation Ceremony on February 14, 2023. Of these, 595 are male while 685 are female. The college graduated 12 PhDs, 37 Masters students, 31 graduate and post graduate diplomas and 1,188 undergraduate students while 12 graduated with diplomas. Three students of the college under the MasterCard Foundations scholarship received awards for exceptional performance. Nyakecho Robinah, Babirye Joan Naluwemba and Kawooya Rodgers got first class degrees and were rewarded with plaques in recognition of their excellent performance.
A total of 13,221 graduands will receive degrees and diplomas of Makerere University during the course of the 73rd graduation ceremony. Of these, a total of 102 graduands will graduate with PhDs, 1,378 with Masters, 11,598 with Bachelor’s degrees and 143 with undergraduate and post graduate diplomas. 52% of the graduands are female while 48% are male.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, congratulated the students, parents and staff of CEES. He congratulated the researchers upon their publication and innovations. “The establishment of the Makerere Institute of Teacher Education and Research and the Early Childhood Development Centre is expected to trigger transformation in education from early childhood to higher degrees,” Prof. Nawangwe said.
The Vice Chancellor informed the graduands that the university has developed measures to fast track the issuance of transcripts and certificates. Previously, for one to receive the academic documents, he or she was required to clear at more than 10 offices. “We have reviewed this and one is now required to clear with only two (2) offices,” he said. Prof. Nawangwe pledged that going ahead, the university would issue transcripts after one month. The VC called on the students to be good ambassadors, to trust in God and to remember that the gates of Makerere will always be open for those that seek more knowledge.
The Chancellor, Prof. Ezra Suruma, who presided over the ceremony congratulated the graduates, saying they have completed the task God gave them and by so doing have given glory to God and to themselves. “So by accomplishing what brought you to Makerere University you have brought glory to God, to your parents, to your friends and to your country,” Prof. Suruma said.
He also appreciated the parents for the financial support to the students despite the economic hardships. The Chancellor challenged the staff of Education and External Studies to address some of the education challenges such as low passing rate in literacy as well as absenteeism in schools.
“I hope the researchers in education can help to improve the quality of primary and secondary education,” Prof. Suruma said.
“Together we face a future that no one can foresee or foretell. Only God knows what will affect us individually, nationally or globally. There are difficulties today and there will be more in the future. So you are not the first to face adversity. We have been there but God has been faithful even in times of unbelievable danger and adversity”
