Bishop Stuart University tightens conditions for graduates

Bishop Stewart University (BSU) officials said no student will graduate without completing a community engagement project as the institution strives to produce graduates who provide solutions to community problems.

“The University Council has already approved my strategic goals for this university and one of them is research, innovation and community engagement,” Professor John Mugisha said on Friday after he was appointed as the 4th BSU.^th Vice-Chancellor for 20 years of the institution’s existence^th graduation in the city of Mbarara.

He added: “Starting next year, no student will graduate unless he or she undertakes a community transformation project.”

According to him, this state is in line with the vision of the university, which initially aimed to provide holistic education.

“We cannot let people down. We cannot continue to invest in research and innovation that cannot solve society’s problems,” Professor Mugisha stressed.

Speaking on agriculture, Professor Mugisha said hundreds of households in southern Uganda are engaged in economic activities but still face enormous challenges.

“This is an agricultural region, but farmers are unable to benefit from the sector due to problems such as prolonged drought, disease and poor farming practices. Our students and teachers will have to go into farms, businesses, communities and other sectors and find solutions to the problems these people face,” he explained.

Professor Mugisha decried tertiary institutions for graduates who lack employability skills, noting that “BSU will work with industrialists and other employment sectors to equip students with relevant skills required in the labor market.”

University Chancellor Reverend Sheldon Mwesigwa, who is also the Bishop of Ankole Diocese, said the university was committed to working closely with the communities.

“We invest in research and innovation. This should not only be for academic purposes, but also to transform communities, and we will take every opportunity to ensure that students studying at this institution interact closely with communities,” he told hundreds of people at the graduation ceremony on Friday.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony, the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Monica Musenero, advised the graduates to remain focused on achieving success in life.

“Be driven, creative, resilient, innovative and servant. The world is not simple. It is full of challenges, but what I have told you can help you achieve your goals,” Dr. Musenero emphasized.

A total of 2,035 students graduated from the university in several academic disciplines.