St. Ignatius University, a Catholic-centered teaching institution under the Kabale Diocese, has emphasized the importance of hands-on skilling courses, along with digitalization, to tackle the growing challenges of poverty and unemployment in the community.
This was revealed by members of the University Council, including Msgr. John Vianney Sunday, the Vicar General for Kabale Diocese, Rev. Fr. Associate Professor Maximilliano Ngabirano, the Vice Chancellor of St. Ignatius University, and Dr. Catherine Billa, the University Secretary, during a press conference held today at the university premises in Rushoroza Cell, Southern Division, Kabale Municipality.
The press conference focused on the upcoming event scheduled for Saturday, August 24, 2024. The event will mark the official inauguration ceremony of the university, during which the Bishop of Kabale Catholic Diocese, Rt. Rev. Callist Rubaramira, will be installed as the first Chancellor of the university, and Rev. Fr. Associate Professor Maximilliano Ngabirano as the first Vice Chancellor.
The presser also highlighted the university’s key focus areas, such as inspiring, empowering, and transforming society through the provision of education based on hands-on skills and projects, moral integrity and formation, and intellectual development to address societal challenges.
In his address, Msgr. Sunday explained that the establishment of the university aimed at solving challenges faced by people in society, such as extreme poverty. He further highlights that the university emphasizes teaching courses that incorporate hands-on projects, enabling students to transform their lives and become role models in using limited resources to generate more and bring about financial transformation. He adds that this includes teaching students how to manage, mobilize, and use resources to empower their communities.
According to the Vice Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Associate Professor Maximilliano Ngabirano, the aim of establishing the university is to provide quality education at a lower cost. He noted that not everyone who attends university receives a comprehensive education, and Kabale Diocese is focused on addressing this by providing affordable, high-quality education. He further says that this is particularly important in the Kigezi region, which is overpopulated and has less productive, depleted soils, contributing to high levels of poverty.
Associate Prof. Ngabirano further explained that the university aims to achieve financial literacy and transformation, which will be a key focus following its inauguration on Saturday, August 24, 2024. He adds that this initiative is expected to address the challenge of youth seeking jobs abroad by focusing on developing self-employment opportunities rather than relying on job-seeking.
Associate Professor Ngabirano also noted that the university currently has an enrollment of 170 students following its acquisition of an operational license as a private university on August 31, 2023. The university opened for its first semester on January 8, 2024.
He also revealed that the accredited programs offered include a Bachelor’s in Business Administration, a Bachelor’s in Tourism Heritage and Leisure Management, a Diploma in Agriculture, a Diploma in Tourism and Leisure Management, a Certificate in Medical Records and Health Informatics, a Diploma in Science Laboratory Technology, a Certificate in Science Laboratory Technology, and UBTEB Vocational courses in Business, Agriculture, and Tourism.
The university administrators led by Dr. Catherine Billa, the University Secretary informed journalists that the university accepts students from all religious backgrounds and that ethics is the foundation of their teaching in every course. She adds that this ethical focus is seen as a basis for combating corruption, which is a significant issue in the country, while also embracing advanced technology in the modern era.
The official inauguration ceremony of the university will see the Bishop of Kabale Catholic Diocese, Rt. Rev. Callist Rubaramira, installed as the first Chancellor, and Rev. Fr. Associate Professor Maximilliano Ngabirano as the first Vice Chancellor. The ceremony will be presided over by Her Excellency, the Vice President of the Republic of Uganda, Retired Maj. Jessica Alupo.
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