Uganda’s fastest-growing private university, Victoria University has been granted permission by National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) to roll-out E-Learning.
In July, NCHE released guidelines for e-learning in institutions of higher learning across the country to commence remote teaching and learning activities during the ongoing Covid-19 lockdown.
While addressing the nation on possibility of re-opening schools, First Lady and Minister of Education Janet Museveni had said that it wasn’t the right time to re-open schools but recommended institutions to adopt the distance and E-learning system.
In a televised address, Mrs Museveni said, “It is our desire as a Sector that all universities and tertiary institutions do e-learning as soon as possible. The Ministry has already put up guidelines for implementation of e-learning. The Executive Director of the National Council for High Education will communicate these guidelines.”
She also noted that, “No continuing learner should be left behind or excluded from learning when a learning institution starts implementing the e-learning approach as a COVID-19 response intervention.”
That having said, the University confirmed it was ready to commence online teaching adding that all the issues raised in the guidelines by NCHE had already been put in place at Victoria University. The Vice Chancellor of Victoria University Dr Krishna Sharma also confirmed that soon or later, the institution would embark on E- teaching adding that all students were availed with laptops.
Now, NCHE has written and given a green light to the University allowing Victoria University to roll-out E-learning.
The letter signed by the Executive Director of NCHE, Prof. Mary OkwakoI, reads; ‘’I am pleased to inform you that after due consideration , The National Council for Higher Education has granted you the permission to roll out emergency ODEL for the attached programmes’’
‘’I wish to remind you that under section 3(c) of the Guidelines for the Adoption of an emergency ODEL system, the permission is valid for twelve (12) months or the duration of COVID-19 crisis as will be determined by the relevant authorities. However you may apply for renewal of the permission at least two (2) months before the expiry of the twelve months period, if necessary’’- adds the statement.
‘’As you will note from the attached report, some areas of improvement have been identified. We argue you to progressively address them’’- concluded the statement.
Meanwhile, earlier last month, Victoria University announced a reduction in tuition fees by over 50% for continuing, new and prospective students with effect from September 2020.
Breaking Barriers: Charles Mudiwa on Intergenerational Leadership at Makerere “It is official!! We are reducing tuition to enable affordable education for all,” said university director Rajiv Ruparelia in Kampala said.
Students at Victoria University are now able to attain a course of their choice for as low as UGX 1,500,000 only.
The University, in a press statement, in August said “The Board together with Council identifies the need to make Higher education affordable and accessible especially in this time of COVID-19,”
The Chairperson of the University Council had also noted that following the challenges brought by the global health crisis, Universities ought to make bold moves to ensure learning continues and thus the cut on tuition.
“Victoria realises that quality education should be accessible by all and therefore has taken a drastic positive step to ensure this by making tuition reductions for the already hard-hit economies of the East Africa region and beyond,” said the university’s management.
“This reduction in cost of education was tailor-made to support the Government effort to build a better society post COVID-19, foster innovation and create positive social and economic impact by providing high quality education to Ugandans and the international community,” said Bill Nkeeto, the university’s Acting Vice Chancellor.
Victoria University, located in Kampala, is part of the Ruparelia Group of Companies and maintains that it aims at ensuring world-class education for citizens of Uganda and the region.
The university currently offers different fields of training in the faculties of Humanities and Social Science, Business and Management, health sciences and Science and Technology. The University also offers specialized training in Oil and Gas Management and exploration.
Admissions for the September 2020 intake are currently open and ongoing.
