Professor John 𝗢𝗽𝘂𝗱𝗮-𝗔𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗼 was on Tuesday unveiled as the new Chancellor of Victoria University during the virtual swearing-in ceremony that was attended by Board of Governors at the University’s auditorium.
Prof Opuda, a scholar of national and international repute becomes the 3rd Chancellor of Victoria University taking over the reins of Martin Aliker. He joins the University at a critical moment and brings his expertise, wide-reach, experience and knowledge that will ensure that the University remains the top private institution in Uganda.
Speaking at the inauguration, Prof Opuda described his appointment as a ‘lifetime opportunity’.
‘’I want to start by saying life and a system always keep evolving and today is a special day for me at Victoria University as I assume the position of the 3rd Victoria University Chancellor, a private university in Uganda. I am aware that private companies are result and profit oriented with success in their mind and will not to desire to deploy anyone at a loss nor failure. I am also aware that all universities, Victoria University inclusive must strive to contribute to good higher education in Uganda without necessary making an immediate profit, yet endure to be successful’’
He also called on all universities to focus on promoting good higher education in Uganda by establishing efficient systems rather than focusing on making an immediate profit
“We should strive to establish good efficient systems for prosperity. Systems are better than individuals. If you go to airports of many countries, you will meet hundreds of thousands of students and those who can afford it headed for Northern hemisphere for tertiary high education, these students should be our students especially if they can afford to go abroad, they should surely afford to come to our universities. Their reasons for their heading abroad include the thinking that a degree earned abroad represents a higher level qualification than a degree at home.”
The Victoria University community, represented by Sudhir Ruparelia, welcomed Prof. John Opuda-Asibo into the university fraternity and wished him the best in carrying out his noble duties as Chancellor.
‘’On behalf of the Chairman and the Board of Directors of Victoria University, Your presence here is today is very a humbling experience in the historic moment for us in the higher University, I thank you all. Victoria University is having its chancellor for the third time as we have had two outgoing chancellors. Victoria University opened in 2013 and has been growing tremendously over the years with accessible location and infrastructural set up with a space of 637 square metres classrooms, 460 square metres of science laboratories, library, computer laboratories and all these are state of art just to mention but a few. Victoria University has currently enrolled 295 students on online courses whose infrastructure has been inspected by National Council of Higher Education as soon as possible. These students come from four faculties namely; Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Faculty of Business and Management, Faculty of Science and Technology and Faculty of Health Services’’- said Ruparelia.
Breaking Barriers: Charles Mudiwa on Intergenerational Leadership at Makerere He added; ‘’The chairman Board of Directors together with together with the Victoria University Council have ensured that the right quality of staff is hired to equip the students with the right skills to help do the job and innovative skills required for them to be successful in their lives and their entrepreneurship.’’
Dr Ruparelia also revealed that the Board of Directors is making a huge investment in the construction of the new home for Victoria University in Najjera which when complete will be able to accommodate a minimum of 10,000 students with all the necessary facilities.
On the outgoing Chancellor, Martin Aliker, Sudhir said, ‘’On behalf of the board of Directors, I wish to take this opportunity to wholeheartedly appreciate the wonderful services of Dr Martin Aliker who is a legend in his own life. For the commitment, guidance, wisdom and wonderful leadership, you have accorded Victoria University. we so feel indebted that you are nothing physical to pay we wish to acknowledge the seven years of service within which you have presided all four graduation ceremonies and above all getting the image of Victoria university as an institution’’
On choosing Prof. John Opuda as the new Chancellor, he said; ‘’The chairman Board of Directors after the wonderful services offered by the outgoing Chancellor Dr Martin Aliker had another task on the hand to identify an equally good Chancellor. Our task was fruitful answered when a gentleman with impeccable, integrity, global experience, honesty, competence in academics and research was identified’’
Who is Prof. John Opuda-Asibo the new chancellor?
Prof. John Opuda-Asibo is a scholar of national and international repute. As a graduate with a veterinary Medical Degree from Makerere University, Opuda also holds a Masters Degree in Public Health and a PhD in Microbiology, Epidemiology and Public Health, both from the University of Minnesota, USA. His Public Health training has provided him with multi-sectoral knowledge application in Epidemiology (observational and analytical), Administration, Economics, Education and Governance.
Professor John Opuda-Asibo has experience in Education, Science, Cooperation, institutional Collaboration and Coordination, Negotiation, Dialogue, Cultural Interaction, Publishing, Grants awarding, Scientific Research, Organising and Charing meetings, Harmonization of Curricula and Educational Systems the latter as a member of the Top Management Committee of the Ministry of Education, Government of Uganda.
